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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
9.7.29.7.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.7.3

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गन्धर्वानवधीत् तत्र वध्यान् वै विष्णुशक्तिधृक् ।

नागाल्लब्धवर: सर्पादभयं स्मरतामिदम् ॥ ३ ॥

gandharvān avadhīt tatra

vadhyān vai viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛk

nāgāl labdha-varaḥ sarpād

abhayaṁ smaratām idam

Translation

There in Rasātala, the lower region of the universe, Purukutsa, being empowered by Lord Viṣṇu, was able to kill all the Gandharvas who deserved to be killed. Purukutsa received the benediction from the serpents that anyone who remembers this history of his being brought by Narmadā to the lower region of the universe will be assured of safety from the attack of snakes.

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.

Purukutsa Acts Through Lord Viṣṇu’s Power

  1. 1

    In Rasātala, the lower region of the universe, Purukutsa was empowered by Lord Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    Through that empowerment, he killed all the Gandharvas who deserved to be killed.

  3. 3

    The serpents gave him a benediction: anyone remembering this history of Narmadā bringing him there would be assured of safety from snake attacks.

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:

Purukutsa, another son of Māndhātā, married the sister of the snakes ( sarpa-gaṇa) named Narmadā. The son of Purukutsa was Trasaddasyu, whose son was Anaraṇya.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gandharvānthe inhabitants of Gandharvaloka
  2. avadhīthe killed
  3. tatrathere (in the lower region of the universe)
  4. vadhyānwho deserved to be killed
  5. vaiindeed
  6. viṣṇu-śakti-dhṛkbeing empowered by Lord Viṣṇu
  7. nāgātfrom the Nāgas
  8. labdha-varaḥhaving received a benediction
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.7

    In this verse: “safety”

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

Do I notice that Purukutsa’s ability came from Lord Viṣṇu’s empowerment?

Practice

Recall this account once today, paying particular attention to Purukutsa’s dependence on Lord Viṣṇu.

Live this todayPurukutsa Acts Through Lord Viṣṇu’s PowerThis 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 9.7.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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