1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
9.4.69.4.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nābhāga’s fathersince 9.4.4-5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ममेदमृषिभिर्दत्तमिति तर्हि स्म मानव: ।

स्यान्नौ ते पितरि प्रश्न‍: पृष्टवान् पितरं यथा ॥ ७ ॥

mamedam ṛṣibhir dattam

iti tarhi sma mānavaḥ

syān nau te pitari praśnaḥ

pṛṣṭavān pitaraṁ yathā

Translation

Nābhāga then said, “These riches belong to me. The great saintly persons have delivered them to me.” When Nābhāga said this, the black-looking person replied, “Let us go to your father and ask him to settle our disagreement.” In accordance with this, Nābhāga inquired from his father.

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.

Seek Help to Settle Disagreements

  1. 1

    Nābhāga explained that the riches belonged to him because the great saintly persons had given them to him.

  2. 2

    The other person proposed that they ask Nābhāga’s father to settle their disagreement.

  3. 3

    Nābhāga accepted this proposal and inquired from his father.

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:

Nābhāga executed the order of his father, and thus Aṅgirā and other great saintly persons gave him all the money collected in that sacrifice. To test Nābhāga, Lord Śiva challenged his claim to the wealth, but when Lord Śiva was satisfied by Nābhāga’s behavior, Lord Śiva offered him all the riches.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mamamy
  2. idamall these
  3. ṛṣibhiḥby the great saintly persons
  4. dattamhave been delivered
  5. itithus
  6. tarhitherefore
  7. smaindeed
  8. mānavaḥNābhāga
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “father”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquired”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to seek guidance rather than keep arguing?

Practice

For one unresolved disagreement, suggest asking someone both sides trust for guidance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Help to Settle DisagreementsThis 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 9.4.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories