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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
9.6.499.6.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.50

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.6.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अहो इमं पश्यत मे विनाशं

तपस्विन: सच्चरितव्रतस्य ।

अन्तर्जले वारिचरप्रसङ्गात्

प्रच्यावितं ब्रह्म चिरं धृतं यत् ॥ ५० ॥

aho imaṁ paśyata me vināśaṁ

tapasvinaḥ sac-carita-vratasya

antarjale vāri-cara-prasaṅgāt

pracyāvitaṁ brahma ciraṁ dhṛtaṁ yat

Translation

Alas! While practicing austerity, even within the depths of the water, and while observing all the rules and regulations practiced by saintly persons, I lost the results of my long austerities simply by association with the sexual affairs of fish. Everyone should observe this falldown and learn from it.

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.

Learn From the Danger of Bad Association

  1. 1

    Saubhari Muni had practiced austerity for a long time, even within the depths of the water.

  2. 2

    Although he observed the rules and regulations of saintly persons, association with the sexual affairs of fish caused him to lose the results of his austerities.

  3. 3

    He openly lamented his falldown and asked everyone to learn from it. His experience warns that strict practice and a secluded place do not remove the danger of harmful association.

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:

In this connection, Śukadeva Gosvāmī described the history of Saubhari Muni, who, because of sensual agitation caused by fish, fell from his yoga and wanted to marry all the daughters of Māndhātā for sexual pleasure. Later, Saubhari Muni became very regretful.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahoalas
  2. imamthis
  3. paśyatajust see
  4. meof me
  5. vināśamfalldown
  6. tapasvinaḥwho was such a great mystic performing austerity
  7. sat-caritaof very good character, observing all necessary rules and regulations
  8. vratasyaof one who has taken a vow strictly
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “lamented”

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 influence could weaken the spiritual discipline I am trying to maintain?

Practice

Avoid one source of sexually distracting sights or conversation today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn From the Danger of Bad AssociationThis 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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