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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
9.5.19.5.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.5.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.5.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्य सोद्यममावीक्ष्य पादस्पर्शविलज्जित: ।

अस्तावीत् तद्धरेरस्त्रं कृपया पीडितो भृशम् ॥ २ ॥

tasya sodyamam āvīkṣya

pāda-sparśa-vilajjitaḥ

astāvīt tad dharer astraṁ

kṛpayā pīḍito bhṛśam

Translation

When Durvāsā touched his lotus feet, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was very much ashamed, and when he saw Durvāsā attempting to offer prayers, because of mercy he was aggrieved even more. Thus he immediately began offering prayers to the great weapon of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Respond to Distress with Mercy

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Ambarīṣa felt very much ashamed when Durvāsā touched his lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Seeing Durvāsā attempt to offer prayers, the King felt even more aggrieved out of mercy.

  3. 3

    He immediately offered prayers to the great weapon 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:

Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, being naturally very humble and meek, felt shy and ashamed because Durvāsā Muni had fallen at his feet, and thus he began to offer prayers to the Sudarśana cakra just to save Durvāsā. What is this Sudarśana cakra?
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Durvāsā
  2. saḥhe, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa
  3. udyamamthe endeavor
  4. āvīkṣyaafter seeing
  5. pāda-sparśa-vilajjitaḥbeing ashamed because Durvāsā was touching his lotus feet
  6. astāvītoffered prayers
  7. tatto that
  8. hareḥ astramweapon of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • 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

When someone approaches me in distress, do I respond with compassion?

Practice

Offer a prayer for someone who is distressed today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespond to Distress with MercyThis 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 9.5.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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