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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 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni
9.6.509.6.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.51

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

सङ्गं त्यजेत मिथुनव्रतीनां मुमुक्षु:

सर्वात्मना न विसृजेद् बहिरिन्द्रियाणि ।

एकश्चरन् रहसि चित्तमनन्त ईशे

युञ्जीत तद्‍व्रतिषु साधुषु चेत् प्रसङ्ग: ॥ ५१ ॥

saṅgaṁ tyajeta mithuna-vratīnāṁ mumukṣuḥ

sarvātmanā na visṛjed bahir-indriyāṇi

ekaś caran rahasi cittam ananta īśe

yuñjīta tad-vratiṣu sādhuṣu cet prasaṅgaḥ

Translation

A person desiring liberation from material bondage must give up the association of persons interested in sex life and should not employ his senses externally [in seeing, hearing, talking, walking and so on]. One should always stay in a secluded place, completely fixing his mind at the lotus feet of the unlimited Personality of Godhead, and if one wants any association at all, he should associate with persons similarly engaged.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Devotee Association and Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    Those who want freedom from material bondage should give up association centered on sex life and accumulating money. They should engage in the Lord’s transcendental loving service without material motives.

  2. 2

    One should fix the mind at the lotus feet of the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead. A secluded place is not secure unless there is good association.

  3. 3

    The purport recommends serving the ācāryas and living in the association of devotees. Taking prasāda and joining in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra gradually elevate ordinary people.

Key points from the purport
  • Saubhari Muni, giving conclusions derived from his practical experience, instructs us that persons interested in crossing to the other side of the material ocean must give up the association of persons interested in sex life and accumulating money.
  • Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura also recommends that one engage in the service of the ācāryas, and if one wants to live in association, he must live in the association of devotees (tāṅdera caraṇa sevi bhakta-sane vāsa).
  • A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association.

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:

He performed various types of sacrifices, and thus he pleased the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This Vikukṣi later became celebrated as Śaśāda.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saṅgamassociation
  2. tyajetamust give up
  3. mithuna-vratīnāmof a person engaged in sexual affairs, legal or illegal
  4. mumukṣuḥpersons who desire liberation
  5. sarva-ātmanāin all respects
  6. nado not
  7. visṛjetemploy
  8. bahiḥ-indriyāṇiexternal senses
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “hearing”, “chanting”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give 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

Which association helps me become more interested in serving the Lord?

Practice

Join devotees in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today, even briefly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Devotee Association and Serve the LordThis 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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