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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 ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.569.4.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.4.57-59

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 9.4.56inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अहं सनत्कुमारश्च नारदो भगवानज: ।

कपिलोऽपान्तरतमो देवलो धर्म आसुरि: ॥ ५७ ॥

मरीचिप्रमुखाश्चान्ये सिद्धेशा: पारदर्शना: ।

विदाम न वयं सर्वे यन्मायां माययावृता: ॥ ५८ ॥

तस्य विश्वेश्वरस्येदं शस्त्रं दुर्विषहं हि न: ।

तमेवं शरणं याहि हरिस्ते शं विधास्यति ॥ ५९ ॥

ahaṁ sanat-kumāraś ca

nārado bhagavān ajaḥ

kapilo ’pāntaratamo

devalo dharma āsuriḥ

marīci-pramukhāś cānye

siddheśāḥ pāra-darśanāḥ

vidāma na vayaṁ sarve

yan-māyāṁ māyayāvṛtāḥ

tasya viśveśvarasyedaṁ

śastraṁ durviṣahaṁ hi naḥ

tam evaṁ śaraṇaṁ yāhi

haris te śaṁ vidhāsyati

Translation

Past, present and future are known to me [Lord Śiva], Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, the most revered Lord Brahmā, Kapila [the son of Devahūti], Apāntaratama [Lord Vyāsadeva], Devala, Yamarāja, Āsuri, Marīci and many saintly persons headed by him, as well as many others who have achieved perfection. Nonetheless, because we are covered by the illusory energy of the Lord, we cannot understand how expansive that illusory energy is. You should simply approach that Supreme Personality of Godhead to get relief, for this Sudarśana cakra is intolerable even to us. Go to Lord Viṣṇu. He will certainly be kind enough to bestow all good fortune upon you.

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.

Approach Lord Viṣṇu for Relief

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva and many perfected saintly persons know past, present and future. Yet, covered by the Lord’s illusory energy, they cannot understand its full extent.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva explained that the Sudarśana cakra was intolerable even to them. He advised Durvāsā Muni to approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead for relief.

  3. 3

    He directed Durvāsā Muni to Lord Viṣṇu, assuring him that the Lord would kindly bestow all good fortune.

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. ahamI
  2. sanat-kumāraḥ caand the four Kumāras (Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanat-kumāra and Sananda)
  3. nāradaḥthe heavenly sage Nārada
  4. bhagavān ajaḥthe supreme creature of the universe, Lord Brahmā
  5. kapilaḥthe son of Devahūti
  6. apāntaratamaḥVyāsadeva
  7. devalaḥthe great sage Devala
  8. dharmaḥYamarāja
3

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I acknowledge the limits of my understanding and approach the Supreme Lord with trust?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Lord Viṣṇu, asking for His merciful shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 9.4's connections

Live this todayApproach Lord Viṣṇu for ReliefThis 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 9.4.57-59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.