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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
9.6.45-469.6.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.47

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

यद्गार्हस्थ्यं तु संवीक्ष्य सप्तद्वीपवतीपति: ।

विस्मित: स्तम्भमजहात् सार्वभौमश्रियान्वितम् ॥ ४७ ॥

yad-gārhasthyaṁ tu saṁvīkṣya

sapta-dvīpavatī-patiḥ

vismitaḥ stambham ajahāt

sārvabhauma-śriyānvitam

Translation

Māndhātā, the King of the entire world, consisting of seven islands, was struck with wonder when he saw the household opulence of Saubhari Muni. Thus he gave up his false prestige in his position as emperor of the world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seeing Greater Opulence Dissolved Royal Pride

  1. 1

    Māndhātā ruled the entire world, consisting of seven islands, yet he was astonished by Saubhari Muni’s household opulence.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that everyone is proud of their own position. Even this emperor felt surpassed in every detail of material happiness.

  3. 3

    Seeing Saubhari Muni’s wealth, Māndhātā gave up his false prestige as emperor of the world.

Key points from the purport
  • Everyone is proud of his own position, but here was an astounding experience, in which the emperor of the entire world felt himself defeated in all details of material happiness by the opulence of Saubhari Muni.

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

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:

Thereafter, Māndhātā became the emperor and ruled the earth, which consists of seven islands. Thieves and rogues were very much afraid of this powerful king, and therefore the king was known as Trasaddasyu, meaning “one who is very fearful to rogues and thieves.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathe whose
  2. gārhasthyamfamily life, householder life
  3. tubut
  4. saṁvīkṣyaobserving
  5. sapta-dvīpa-vatī-patiḥMāndhātā, who was the King of the entire world, consisting of seven islands
  6. vismitaḥwas struck with wonder
  7. stambhampride due to a prestigious position
  8. ajahāthe gave up
  9. sārva-bhaumathe emperor of the entire world
  10. śriyā-anvitamblessed with all kinds of opulence
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “household”, “wealth”, “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “king”, “emperor”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “gave up”

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

What position or possession makes you feel superior to others?

Practice

When you notice someone with greater resources or standing today, use that moment to let go of one proud comparison.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeing Greater Opulence Dissolved Royal PrideThis 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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