1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.39-409.4.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 9.4.39-40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्यप: प्राश्य राजर्षिश्चिन्तयन् मनसाच्युतम् ।

प्रत्यचष्ट कुरुश्रेष्ठ द्विजागमनमेव स: ॥ ४१ ॥

ity apaḥ prāśya rājarṣiś

cintayan manasācyutam

pratyacaṣṭa kuru-śreṣṭha

dvijāgamanam eva saḥ

Translation

O best of the Kuru dynasty, after he drank some water, King Ambarīṣa, meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart, waited for the return of the great mystic Durvāsā Muni.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Lord While Waiting

  1. 1

    King Ambarīṣa drank some water.

  2. 2

    He meditated upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart.

  3. 3

    While remembering the Lord, he waited for the return of the great mystic Durvāsā Muni.

How it feels

Peril and anger → Faith and mercy. The contrast between pride and steadiness becomes clear.

Chapters 4–5 of Canto 9: Ambarīṣa's devotion and Durvāsā's anger. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, however, upon seeing that the time to break the fast was passing, drank a little water, in accordance with the advice of learned brāhmaṇas, just to observe the formality of breaking the fast. By mystic power, Durvāsā Muni could understand that this had happened, and he was very angry.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. apaḥwater
  3. prāśyaafter drinking
  4. rājarṣiḥthe great King Ambarīṣa
  5. cintayanmeditating upon
  6. manasāby the mind
  7. acyutamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. pratyacaṣṭabegan to wait
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Could I use moments of waiting to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

During one brief wait today, turn your thoughts toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember the Lord While WaitingThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 9.4.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories