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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 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni
9.6.289.6.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.29

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.6.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

राज्ञा पीतं विदित्वा वै ईश्वरप्रहितेन ते ।

ईश्वराय नमश्चक्रुरहो दैवबलं बलम् ॥ २९ ॥

rājñā pītaṁ viditvā vai

īśvara-prahitena te

īśvarāya namaś cakrur

aho daiva-balaṁ balam

Translation

When the brāhmaṇas came to understand that the King, inspired by the supreme controller, had drunk the water, they all exclaimed “Alas! The power of providence is real power. No one can counteract the power of the Supreme.” In this way they offered their respectful obeisances unto the Lord.

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.

No One Can Counteract the Supreme

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas understood that the King had drunk the water while inspired by the supreme controller.

  2. 2

    They declared that providence is real power. No one can counteract the power of the Supreme.

  3. 3

    Recognizing the Lord’s power, they offered Him respectful obeisances.

How it feels

Attachment and struggle → Renunciation and responsibility. Multiple royal lives reveal the cost of choices.

Chapters 6–9 of Canto 9: Saubhari, Sagara and Bhagīratha's lineage. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once, however, the King became so thirsty in the forest that he drank the water kept for performing yajña. Consequently, after some time, a son came forth from the right side of his abdomen.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājñāby the King
  2. pītamdrunk
  3. viditvāunderstanding this
  4. vaiindeed
  5. īśvara-prahitenainspired by providence
  6. teall of them
  7. īśvarāyaunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller
  8. namaḥ cakruḥoffered respectful obeisances
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “understand”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might recognizing the Supreme’s power help you respond with humility when plans change?

Practice

Offer a respectful bow to the Lord today, remembering that His power cannot be counteracted.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNo One Can Counteract the SupremeThis 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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