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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 8: The Sons of Sagara Meet Lord Kapiladeva

9.8.19 9.8.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.8.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत्रासीनं मुनिं वीक्ष्य कपिलाख्यमधोक्षजम् ।

अस्तौत् समाहितमना: प्राञ्जलि: प्रणतो महान् ॥ २० ॥

tatrāsīnaṁ muniṁ vīkṣya

kapilākhyam adhokṣajam

astaut samāhita-manāḥ

prāñjaliḥ praṇato mahān

Translation

The great Aṁśumān saw the sage named Kapila, the saint who is an incarnation of Viṣṇu, sitting there by the horse. Aṁśumān offered Him respectful obeisances, folded his hands and offered Him prayers with great attention.

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This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Approach the Lord With Respectful Attention

1
Aṁśumān saw Kapila sitting near the horse. Kapila is the saint who is an incarnation of Viṣṇu.
2
Aṁśumān offered Him respectful obeisances and folded his hands.
3
He offered prayers with great attention. His approach combined outward respect with an attentive mind.

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

Chapter 8: The Sons of Sagara Meet Lord Kapiladeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Aṁśumān then offered respectful obeisances to Kapiladeva, circumambulated Him, and left that place with the horse for sacrifice. When King Sagara finished his yajña, he handed over the kingdom to Aṁśumān and, following the advice of Aurva, attained salvation.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.8