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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
9.6.79.6.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.8

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.6.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शेषं निवेदयामास पित्रे तेन च तद्गुरु: ।

चोदित: प्रोक्षणायाह दुष्टमेतदकर्मकम् ॥ ८ ॥

śeṣaṁ nivedayām āsa

pitre tena ca tad-guruḥ

coditaḥ prokṣaṇāyāha

duṣṭam etad akarmakam

Translation

Vikukṣi offered the remnants of the flesh to King Ikṣvāku, who gave it to Vasiṣṭha for purification. But Vasiṣṭha could immediately understand that part of the flesh had already been taken by Vikukṣi, and therefore he said that it was unfit to be used in the śrāddha ceremony.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Food Before Tasting It

  1. 1

    Vasiṣṭha understood that Vikukṣi had already eaten some of the flesh. He therefore declared it unfit for the śrāddha ceremony.

  2. 2

    Food meant for offering cannot be tasted before it is offered to the Deity. In the temples, food from the kitchen cannot be eaten before the offering.

  3. 3

    If someone takes food before the offering, the entire preparation becomes polluted and cannot be offered. Those engaged in Deity worship must understand this to avoid offenses.

Key points from the purport
  • That which is meant to be offered in yajña cannot be tasted by anyone before being offered to the Deity.
  • One cannot eat food from the kitchen unless it is offered to the Deity.
  • If something is taken before being offered to the Deity, the entire preparation is polluted and can no longer be offered.

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:

By the mercy of Vasiṣṭha and the power of mystic yoga, Mahārāja Ikṣvāku attained liberation after giving up his material body. When Mahārāja Ikṣvāku expired, his son Vikukṣi returned and took charge of the kingdom.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śeṣamthe remnants
  2. nivedayām āsahe offered
  3. pitreto his father
  4. tenaby him
  5. caalso
  6. tat-guruḥtheir priest or spiritual master
  7. coditaḥbeing requested
  8. prokṣaṇāyafor purifying
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “king”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “purification”

  • 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

Am I careful to leave food intended for the Deity untouched until it has been offered?

Practice

If preparing food for the Deity today, keep the entire preparation untasted until after the offering.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Food Before Tasting ItThis 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 9.6.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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