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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 5: Durvāsā Muni’s Life Spared
9.5.179.5.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.5.18

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

राजा तमकृताहार: प्रत्यागमनकाङ्क्षuया ।

चरणावुपसङ्गृह्य प्रसाद्य समभोजयत् ॥ १८ ॥

rājā tam akṛtāhāraḥ

pratyāgamana-kāṅkṣayā

caraṇāv upasaṅgṛhya

prasādya samabhojayat

Translation

Expecting the return of Durvāsā Muni, the King had not taken his food. Therefore, when the sage returned, the King fell at his lotus feet, pleasing him in all respects, and fed him sumptuously.

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.

Patient Waiting and Humble Hospitality

  1. 1

    The King had not eaten because he was waiting for Durvāsā Muni to return.

  2. 2

    When the sage returned, the King fell at his lotus feet and pleased him in all respects.

  3. 3

    The King then fed him sumptuously, expressing his care through generous hospitality.

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:

After this incident, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa gave Durvāsā Muni sumptuous food to eat, and then the King, who had been standing in the same place for one year without eating anything, also took prasāda. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa later divided his property among his sons and went to the bank of the Mānasa-sarovara to execute devotional meditation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājāthe King
  2. tamunto him, Durvāsā Muni
  3. akṛta-āhāraḥwho refrained from taking food
  4. pratyāgamanareturning
  5. kāṅkṣayādesiring
  6. caraṇauthe feet
  7. upasaṅgṛhyaapproaching
  8. prasādyapleasing in all respects
  9. samabhojayatfed sumptuously
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

  • 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

How can I show greater patience and care when welcoming someone?

Practice

Offer someone food today with a respectful, welcoming attitude.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPatient Waiting and Humble HospitalityThis 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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