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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
9.4.53-549.4.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.55

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 9.4.53-54inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रत्याख्यातो विरिञ्चेन विष्णुचक्रोपतापित: ।

दुर्वास: शरणं यात: शर्वं कैलासवासिनम् ॥ ५५ ॥

pratyākhyāto viriñcena

viṣṇu-cakropatāpitaḥ

durvāsāḥ śaraṇaṁ yātaḥ

śarvaṁ kailāsa-vāsinam

Translation

When Durvāsā, who was greatly afflicted by the blazing fire of the Sudarśana cakra, was thus refused by Lord Brahmā, he tried to take shelter of Lord Śiva, who always resides on his planet, known as Kailāsa.

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.

Seeking Shelter After Refusal

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā refused Durvāsā Muni shelter.

  2. 2

    Durvāsā remained greatly afflicted by the blazing fire of the Sudarśana cakra.

  3. 3

    He then tried to take shelter of Lord Śiva, who always resides on Kailāsa.

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. pratyākhyātaḥbeing refused
  2. viriñcenaby Lord Brahmā
  3. viṣṇu-cakra-upatāpitaḥbeing scorched by the blazing fire of Lord Viṣṇu’s disc
  4. durvāsāḥthe great mystic named Durvāsā
  5. śaraṇamfor shelter
  6. yātaḥwent
  7. śarvamunto Lord Śiva
  8. kailāsa-vāsinamthe resident of the place known as Kailāsa
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How do I react when the shelter I hoped for is unavailable?

Practice

Briefly reflect on a time you sought help after being refused, remembering Durvāsā Muni’s continued distress.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeking Shelter After RefusalThis 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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