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

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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
9.5.59.5.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.5.6

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Ambarīṣasince 9.5.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नम: सुनाभाखिलधर्मसेतवे

ह्यधर्मशीलासुरधूमकेतवे ।

त्रैलोक्यगोपाय विशुद्धवर्चसे

मनोजवायाद्भ‍ुतकर्मणे गृणे ॥ ६ ॥

namaḥ sunābhākhila-dharma-setave

hy adharma-śīlāsura-dhūma-ketave

trailokya-gopāya viśuddha-varcase

mano-javāyādbhuta-karmaṇe gṛṇe

Translation

O Sudarśana, you have a very auspicious hub, and therefore you are the upholder of all religion. You are just like an inauspicious comet for the irreligious demons. Indeed, you are the maintainer of the three worlds, you are full of transcendental effulgence, you are as quick as the mind, and you are able to work wonders. I can simply utter the word “namaḥ,” offering all obeisances unto you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Real Religion Is Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Dharma refers to the orders or laws given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Real dharma is surrender to Him through bhakti, or devotional service.

  2. 2

    The Sudarśana cakra protects dharma and was ready to protect Mahārāja Ambarīṣa even against a powerful brāhmaṇa.

  3. 3

    A person must be understood by their symptoms and conduct, not merely their birth. Durvāsā Muni’s actions against a pure devotee were like those of the asuras.

Key points from the purport
  • The disc of the Lord is called Sudarśana because he does not discriminate between high and low criminals or demons.
  • Therefore the Sudarśana cakra does not discriminate between brāhmaṇa demons and śūdra demons.
  • The Sudarśana cakra is just like an inauspicious comet for all such demons.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

In this chapter we find Mahārāja Ambarīṣa offering prayers to the Sudarśana cakra and we find how the Sudarśana cakra became merciful to Durvāsā Muni. By the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, Durvāsā Muni immediately went to Mahārāja Ambarīṣa and fell at his lotus feet.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. namaḥall respectful obeisances unto you
  2. su-nābhaO you who have an auspicious hub
  3. akhila-dharma-setavewhose spokes are considered to be a breech of the entire universe
  4. hiindeed
  5. adharma-śīlawho are irreligious
  6. asurafor the demons
  7. dhūma-ketaveunto you who are like fire or an inauspicious comet
  8. trailokyaof the three material worlds
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “bhakti”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “religion”, “dharma”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.5

    In this verse: “protects”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my conduct show devotion and respect for the Lord’s devotees?

Practice

Offer one brief prayer of surrender to the Lord, asking to serve Him and respect His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReal Religion Is Devotional ServiceThis 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 9.5.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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