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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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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 7: The Descendants of King Māndhātā
9.7.219.7.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.7.22

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विश्वामित्रोऽभवत् तस्मिन् होता चाध्वर्युरात्मवान् ।

जमदग्निरभूद् ब्रह्मा वसिष्ठोऽयास्य: सामग: ॥ २२ ॥

viśvāmitro ’bhavat tasmin

hotā cādhvaryur ātmavān

jamadagnir abhūd brahmā

vasiṣṭho ’yāsyaḥ sāma-gaḥ

Translation

In that great human sacrifice, Viśvāmitra was the chief priest to offer oblations, the perfectly self-realized Jamadagni had the responsibility for chanting the mantras from the Yajur Veda, Vasiṣṭha was the chief brahminical priest, and the sage Ayāsya was the reciter of the hymns of the Sāma Veda.

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.

Distinct Responsibilities in the Sacrifice

  1. 1

    In the great human sacrifice, Viśvāmitra was the chief priest responsible for offering oblations.

  2. 2

    The perfectly self-realized Jamadagni had responsibility for chanting the mantras from the Yajur Veda.

  3. 3

    Vasiṣṭha served as the chief brahminical priest, while Ayāsya recited the hymns of the Sāma Veda.

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 7: The Descendants of King Māndhātā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this sacrifice, Viśvāmitra was the hotā priest, Jamadagni was the adhvaryu, Vasiṣṭha was the brahmā, and Ayāsya was the udgātā. King Indra, being very satisfied by the sacrifice, gave Hariścandra a golden chariot, and Viśvāmitra gave him transcendental knowledge.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viśvāmitraḥthe great sage and mystic Viśvāmitra
  2. abhavatbecame
  3. tasminin that great sacrifice
  4. hotāthe chief priest to offer oblations
  5. caalso
  6. adhvaryuḥa person who recites hymns from the Yajur Veda and performs ritualistic ceremonies
  7. ātmavānfully self-realized
  8. jamadagniḥJamadagni
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.7

    In this verse: “chanting”, “reciter”, “recited”

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 can I learn from noticing how clearly each priest’s responsibility is described?

Practice

Read the translation once slowly, identifying each priest and his particular responsibility.

Live this todayDistinct Responsibilities in the SacrificeThis 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 9.7.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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