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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
9.4.609.4.62

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.61

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 9.4.56inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सन्दह्यमानोऽजितशस्त्रवह्निना

तत्पादमूले पतित: सवेपथु: ।

आहाच्युतानन्त सदीप्सित प्रभो

कृतागसं माव हि विश्वभावन ॥ ६१ ॥

sandahyamāno ’jita-śastra-vahninā

tat-pāda-mūle patitaḥ savepathuḥ

āhācyutānanta sad-īpsita prabho

kṛtāgasaṁ māvahi viśva-bhāvana

Translation

Durvāsā Muni, the great mystic, scorched by the heat of the Sudarśana cakra, fell at the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa. His body trembling, he spoke as follows: O infallible, unlimited Lord, protector of the entire universe, You are the only desirable objective for all devotees. I am a great offender, my Lord. Please give me protection.

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.

Humbly Seek Shelter at the Lord’s Feet

  1. 1

    Scorched by the Sudarśana cakra, Durvāsā Muni fell at Nārāyaṇa’s lotus feet with his body trembling.

  2. 2

    He addressed the Lord as infallible, unlimited and the protector of the entire universe. The Lord alone is the desirable objective of all devotees.

  3. 3

    Durvāsā Muni admitted that he was a great offender and begged the Lord for protection.

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. sandahyamānaḥbeing burned by the heat
  2. ajita-śastra-vahnināby the blazing fire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s weapon
  3. tat-pāda-mūleat His lotus feet
  4. patitaḥfalling down
  5. sa-vepathuḥwith trembling of the body
  6. āhasaid
  7. acyutaO my Lord, O infallible one
  8. anantaO You of unlimited prowess
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “offender”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protector”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I honestly acknowledge my faults while keeping the Lord as the goal of my devotion?

Practice

Offer a short prayer admitting one fault and asking the Lord for shelter at His lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumbly Seek Shelter at the Lord’s FeetThis 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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