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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
9.7.79.7.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.7.8

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सोऽनपत्यो विषण्णात्मा नारदस्योपदेशत: ।

वरुणं शरणं यात: पुत्रो मे जायतां प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

so ’napatyo viṣaṇṇātmā

nāradasyopadeśataḥ

varuṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ yātaḥ

putro me jāyatāṁ prabho

Translation

Hariścandra had no son and was therefore extremely morose. Once, therefore, following the advice of Nārada, he took shelter of Varuṇa and said to him, “My lord, I have no son. Would you kindly give me one?”

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.

Hariścandra Seeks Help in His Sorrow

  1. 1

    Hariścandra had no son and was extremely morose.

  2. 2

    Following Nārada’s advice, he took shelter of Varuṇa.

  3. 3

    Hariścandra plainly expressed his desire: he asked Varuṇa to kindly give him a son.

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:

Hariścandra had no sons, but on the advice of Nārada he worshiped Varuṇa and in this way got a son named Rohita. Hariścandra promised that Rohita would be used to perform a Varuṇa-yajña.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthat Hariścandra
  2. anapatyaḥbeing without a son
  3. viṣaṇṇa-ātmātherefore very morose
  4. nāradasyaof Nārada
  5. upadeśataḥby the advice
  6. varuṇamunto Varuṇa
  7. śaraṇam yātaḥtook shelter
  8. putraḥa son
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.7

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 9.7

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 do strong unfulfilled desires affect the way I seek advice and help?

Practice

Write one sentence identifying Hariścandra’s sorrow and the advice he followed.

Live this todayHariścandra Seeks Help in His SorrowThis 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 9.7.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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