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

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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 9.4.56

Who is speaking and story frame

श्रीशङ्कर उवाच

वयं न तात प्रभवाम भूम्नि

यस्मिन् परेऽन्येऽप्यजजीवकोशा: ।

भवन्ति काले न भवन्ति हीद‍ृशा:

सहस्रशो यत्र वयं भ्रमाम: ॥ ५६ ॥

śrī-śaṅkara uvāca

vayaṁ na tāta prabhavāma bhūmni

yasmin pare ’nye ’py aja-jīva-kośāḥ

bhavanti kāle na bhavanti hīdṛśāḥ

sahasraśo yatra vayaṁ bhramāmaḥ

Translation

Lord Śiva said: My dear son, I, Lord Brahmā and the other demigods, who rotate within this universe under the misconception of our greatness, cannot exhibit any power to compete with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for innumerable universes and their inhabitants come into existence and are annihilated by the simple direction of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

None Can Compete With the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    There are innumerable universes, with innumerable Lord Brahmās, Lord Śivas and other demigods. All move within the material world under the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s direction.

  2. 2

    Innumerable universes and their inhabitants appear and disappear by the Lord’s simple direction. No one can compete with His strength.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva also refused to protect Durvāsā Muni. He too was under the rays of the Sudarśana cakra sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • There are innumerable universes in the material world, and there are innumerable Lord Brahmās, Lord Śivas and other demigods.
  • All of them rotate within this material world under the supreme direction of the Personality of Godhead.
  • Lord Śiva also refused to protect Durvāsā, for Lord Śiva also was under the rays of the Sudarśana cakra sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śaṅkaraḥ uvācaLord Śiva said
  2. vayamwe
  3. nanot
  4. tātaO my dear son
  5. prabhavāmaḥsufficiently able
  6. bhūmniunto the great Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. yasminin whom
  8. parein the Transcendence
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “protect”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might a misconception of my own greatness keep me from acknowledging the Lord’s supremacy?

Practice

When pride arises today, pause and remember that no one can compete with the Supreme Lord’s strength.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNone Can Compete With the Supreme LordThis 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 9.4.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.