Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 9
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
नाभागस्तं प्रणम्याह तवेश किल वास्तुकम् । इत्याह मे पिता ब्रह्मञ्छिरसा त्वां प्रसादये ॥ ९ ॥
nābhāgas taṁ praṇamyāha taveśa kila vāstukam ity āha me pitā brahmañ chirasā tvāṁ prasādaye
Lalu Nābhāga bersujud hormat kepada Dewa Śiva dan berkata: “Wahai Tuhan yang layak disembah, segala harta di gelanggang yajña ini adalah milik-Mu. Demikian kata ayahku, seorang brāhmaṇa; maka dengan kepala tertunduk aku memohon rahmat-Mu.”
FAQs
This verse shows Nābhāga bowing down and addressing the sage as “O brāhmaṇa,” acknowledging the sage’s rightful claim and seeking favor—highlighting humility and reverence as dharmic conduct.
Because his father had instructed him that the claim or portion in question was the brāhmaṇa’s rightful property; Nābhāga follows that instruction and approaches the sage respectfully.
Practice integrity and humility: acknowledge rightful ownership, honor wise and saintly persons, and resolve disputes through respectful submission to dharma rather than ego.