Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 14
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
श्रीराजोवाच भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि राजर्षेस्तस्य धीमत: । न प्राभूद् यत्र निर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मदण्डो दुरत्यय: ॥ १४ ॥
śrī-rājovāca bhagavañ chrotum icchāmi rājarṣes tasya dhīmataḥ na prābhūd yatra nirmukto brahma-daṇḍo duratyayaḥ
ശ്രീരാജാവ് പറഞ്ഞു— ഭഗവൻ! ധീമാനായ രാജർഷി മഹാരാജ അംബരീഷന്റെ ചരിതം ഞാൻ കേൾക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു. അതിജയിക്കാനാകാത്ത ബ്രാഹ്മണശാപമായ ബ്രഹ്മദണ്ഡം പോലും അദ്ദേഹത്തിൽ പ്രവർത്തിക്കാതിരുന്നത് എങ്ങനെ— അത്ഭുതം!
FAQs
This verse highlights that brahma-daṇḍa is ordinarily “duratyaya”—extremely difficult to overcome—yet Parīkṣit asks how, in one exceptional case, it was released and did not take effect.
As a serious student of dharma and bhakti, Parīkṣit wants to understand the rare circumstance in which a powerful brāhmaṇical punishment became ineffectual, so he requests the narrative from Śukadeva in proper spiritual disciplic hearing.
The verse encourages humble inquiry and faith-based learning: rather than reacting with pride or despair, one should seek guidance from saintly wisdom and align with dharma and devotion, which the Bhagavatam repeatedly presents as the highest shelter.