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
ஸ்ரீ ராஜா கூறினார்— பகவனே! அந்த ஞானமிக்க ராஜரிஷி மகாராஜா அம்பரீஷரின் சரிதத்தை நான் கேட்க விரும்புகிறேன். தாண்ட இயலாத பிராமண சாபமான ‘பிரம்மதண்டம்’ கூட அவர்மேல் ஏன் செயல்படவில்லை என்பது வியப்பாக உள்ளது.
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.