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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.55

Who is speaking and story frame

ता: स्वपत्युर्महाराज निरीक्ष्याध्यात्मिकीं गतिम् ।

अन्वीयुस्तत्प्रभावेण अग्निं शान्तमिवार्चिष: ॥ ५५ ॥

tāḥ sva-patyur mahārāja

nirīkṣyādhyātmikīṁ gatim

anvīyus tat-prabhāveṇa

agniṁ śāntam ivārciṣaḥ

Translation

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, by observing their husband progressing in spiritual existence, Saubhari Muni’s wives were also able to enter the spiritual world by his spiritual power, just as the flames of a fire cease when the fire is extinguished.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Influence Helped His Wives Advance

  1. 1

    Saubhari Muni’s wives observed their husband progressing in spiritual existence and followed him.

  2. 2

    By his spiritual influence, they also entered the spiritual world. The translation compares this to flames ceasing when the fire is extinguished.

  3. 3

    The purport emphasizes their faithful service to a spiritually advanced husband. Although they were not independently qualified, they received the same spiritual benefit through his influence.

Key points from the purport
  • Here it is clearly said that the wives of Saubhari Muni also entered the spiritual world by the influence of their husband.
  • They were unfit, but because they were faithful followers of their husband, they also entered the spiritual world with him.
  • Thus a woman should be a faithful servant of her husband, and if the husband is spiritually advanced, the woman will automatically get the opportunity to enter the spiritual world.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 9.6.55 quotesBG 9.32

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32), striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Thus he accepted the order of vānaprastha, performed very severe austerities, and thus attained perfection. In this regard, Śukadeva Gosvāmī described how Saubhari Muni’s wives also became perfect.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāḥall the wives of Saubhari
  2. sva-patyuḥwith their own husband
  3. mahārājaO King Parīkṣit
  4. nirīkṣyaobserving
  5. adhyātmikīmspiritual
  6. gatimprogress
  7. anvīyuḥfollowed
  8. tat-prabhāveṇaby the influence of their husband (although they were unfit, by the influence of their husband they also could go to the spiritual world)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

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 does this account deepen my appreciation for spiritually advanced guidance?

Practice

Reflect on one example of spiritual progress you have observed and write down what you can learn from it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Influence Helped His Wives AdvanceThis 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 9.6.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.