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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.499.4.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.50

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 9.4.39-40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तमन्वधावद् भगवद्रथाङ्गं

दावाग्निरुद्धूतशिखो यथाहिम् ।

तथानुषक्तं मुनिरीक्षमाणो

गुहां विविक्षु: प्रससार मेरो: ॥ ५० ॥

tam anvadhāvad bhagavad-rathāṅgaṁ

dāvāgnir uddhūta-śikho yathāhim

tathānuṣaktaṁ munir īkṣamāṇo

guhāṁ vivikṣuḥ prasasāra meroḥ

Translation

As the blazing flames of a forest fire pursue a snake, the disc of the Supreme Personality of Godhead began following Durvāsā Muni. Durvāsā Muni saw that the disc was almost touching his back, and thus he ran very swiftly, desiring to enter a cave of Sumeru Mountain.

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.

The Lord’s Disc Cannot Be Outrun

  1. 1

    The disc of the Supreme Personality of Godhead followed Durvāsā Muni like blazing forest fire pursuing a snake.

  2. 2

    Durvāsā Muni saw the disc coming so close that it almost touched his back.

  3. 3

    He ran very swiftly, hoping to enter a cave of Sumeru Mountain.

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:

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, however, is always the protector of His devotee, and to protect Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, He sent His disc, the Sudarśana cakra, which immediately vanquished the fiery demon and then pursued Durvāsā, who was so envious of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa. Durvāsā fled to Brahmaloka, Śivaloka and all the other higher planets, but he could not protect himself from the wrath of the Sudarśana cakra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamunto Durvāsā
  2. anvadhāvatbegan to follow
  3. bhagavat-ratha-aṅgamthe disc appearing from the wheel of the Lord’s chariot
  4. dāva-agniḥlike a forest fire
  5. uddhūtablazing high
  6. śikhaḥhaving flames
  7. yathā ahimas it follows a snake
  8. tathāin the same way
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

What does Durvāsā Muni’s desperate flight show me about the power of the Lord’s disc?

Practice

Reread the forest-fire comparison and pause to acknowledge the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Disc Cannot Be OutrunThis 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.

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