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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 5: Durvāsā Muni’s Life Spared
9.5.139.5.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.5.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Durvāsā Munisince 9.5.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit
A turning point forDurvāsā Muni· Appeals for refuge

दुर्वासा उवाच

अहो अनन्तदासानां महत्त्वं द‍ृष्टमद्य मे ।

कृतागसोऽपि यद् राजन् मङ्गलानि समीहसे ॥ १४ ॥

durvāsā uvāca

aho ananta-dāsānāṁ

mahattvaṁ dṛṣṭam adya me

kṛtāgaso ’pi yad rājan

maṅgalāni samīhase

Translation

Durvāsā Muni said: My dear King, today I have experienced the greatness of devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for although I have committed an offense, you have prayed for my good fortune.

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.

Devotees Seek Even an Offender’s Good

  1. 1

    Durvāsā Muni acknowledged that he had committed an offense.

  2. 2

    Despite that offense, the King prayed for his good fortune.

  3. 3

    Through this mercy, Durvāsā Muni experienced the greatness of devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 5: Durvāsā Muni’s Life Spared

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Sudarśana cakra, which is the origin of creation and is most dear to the Lord, has thousands of spokes. This Sudarśana cakra is the killer of the prowess of all other weapons, the killer of darkness, and the manifester of the prowess of devotional service; it is the means of establishing religious principles, and it is the killer of all irreligious activities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. durvāsāḥ uvācaDurvāsā Muni said
  2. ahoalas
  3. ananta-dāsānāmof the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. mahattvamgreatness
  5. dṛṣṭamseen
  6. adyatoday
  7. meby me
  8. kṛta-āgasaḥ apialthough I was an offender
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “offense”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I wish someone well even when I feel offended by them?

Practice

Offer one sincere prayer for the good fortune of someone who has offended you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotees Seek Even an Offender’s GoodThis 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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