Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 9: Liberation | Chapter 9: The Dynasty of Amsuman |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.16-17
sruto bhagirathaj jajne
sindhudvipas tatas tasmad
ayutayus tato 'bhavat
rtuparno nala-sakho
dattvaksa-hrdayam casmai
SYNONYMS
srutah -- a son named Sruta; bhagirathat -- from Bhagiratha; jajne -- was born; tasya -- of Sruta; nabhah -- by the name Nabha; aparah -- different from the Nabha previously described; abhavat -- was born; sindhudvipah -- by the name Sindhudvipa; tatah -- from Nabha; tasmat -- from Sindhudvipa; ayutayuh -- a son named Ayutayu; tatah -- thereafter; abhavat -- was born; rtuparnah -- a son named Rtuparna; nala-sakhah -- who was a friend of Nala; yah -- one who; asva-vidyam -- the art of controlling horses; ayat -- achieved; nalat -- from Nala; dattva -- after giving in exchange; aksa-hrdayam -- the secrets of the art of gambling; ca -- and; asmai -- unto Nala; sarvakamah -- by the name Sarvakama; tu -- indeed; tat-sutam -- his son (the son of Rtuparna).
TRANSLATION
Bhagiratha had a son named Sruta, whose son was Nabha. This son was different from the Nabha previously described. Nabha had a son named Sindhudvipa, from Sindhudvipa came Ayutayu, and from Ayutayu came Rtuparna, who became a friend of Nalaraja. Rtuparna taught Nalaraja the art of gambling, and Nalaraja gave Rtuparna lessons in controlling and maintaining horses. The son of Rtuparna was Sarvakama.
PURPORT
Gambling is also an art. Ksatriyas are allowed to exhibit talent in this art of gambling. By the grace of Krsna, the Pandavas lost everything by gambling and were deprived of their kingdom, wife, family and home because they were not expert in the gambling art. In other words, a devotee may not be expert in materialistic activities. It is therefore advised in the sastra that materialistic activities are not at all suitable for the living entities, especially the devotees. A devotee should therefore be satisfied to eat whatever is sent as prasada by the Supreme Lord. A devotee remains pure because he does not take to sinful activities such as gambling, intoxication, meat-eating and illicit sex.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness