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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.49

Who is speaking and story frame

तदभिद्रवदुद्वीक्ष्य स्वप्रयासं च निष्फलम् ।

दुर्वास दुद्रुवे भीतो दिक्षु प्राणपरीप्सया ॥ ४९ ॥

tad-abhidravad udvīkṣya

sva-prayāsaṁ ca niṣphalam

durvāsā dudruve bhīto

dikṣu prāṇa-parīpsayā

Translation

Upon seeing that his own attempt had failed and that the Sudarśana cakra was moving toward him, Durvāsā Muni became very frightened and began to run in all directions to save his life.

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.

Fear When One’s Own Effort Fails

  1. 1

    Durvāsā Muni saw that his own attempt had failed.

  2. 2

    As the Sudarśana cakra moved toward him, he became very frightened.

  3. 3

    Desiring to save his life, he began running in all directions.

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. tatof that disc
  2. abhidravatmoving toward him
  3. udvīkṣyaafter seeing
  4. sva-prayāsamhis own attempt
  5. caand
  6. niṣphalamhaving failed
  7. durvāsāḥDurvāsā Muni
  8. dudruvebegan to run
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How do I respond when my own efforts fail and fear arises?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to reflect on the limits of your own efforts.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 1 lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayFear When One’s Own Effort FailsThis 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 9.4.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.