Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 9: Liberation | Chapter 9: The Dynasty of Amśumān |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 9.9.16-17
śruto bhagīrathāj jajñe
sindhudvīpas tatas tasmād
ayutāyus tato 'bhavat
ritūparno nala-sakho
dattvāksha-hridayam cāsmai
SYNONYMS
śrutah — a son named Śruta; bhagīrathāt — from Bhagīratha; jajñe — was born; tasya — of Śruta; nābhah — by the name Nābha; aparah — different from the Nābha previously described; abhavat — was born; sindhudvīpah — by the name Sindhudvīpa; tatah — from Nābha; tasmāt — from Sindhudvīpa; ayutāyuh — a son named Ayutāyu; tatah — thereafter; abhavat — was born; ritūparnah — a son named Ritūparna; nala-sakhah — who was a friend of Nala; yah — one who; aśva-vidyām — the art of controlling horses; ayāt — achieved; nalāt — from Nala; dattvā — after giving in exchange; aksha-hridayam — the secrets of the art of gambling; ca — and; asmai — unto Nala; sarvakāmah — by the name Sarvakāma; tu — indeed; tat-sutam — his son (the son of Ritūparna).
TRANSLATION
Bhagīratha had a son named Śruta, whose son was Nābha. This son was different from the Nābha previously described. Nābha had a son named Sindhudvīpa, from Sindhudvīpa came Ayutāyu, and from Ayutāyu came Ritūparna, who became a friend of Nalarāja. Ritūparna taught Nalarāja the art of gambling, and Nalarāja gave Ritūparna lessons in controlling and maintaining horses. The son of Ritūparna was Sarvakāma.
PURPORT
Gambling is also an art. Kshatriyas are allowed to exhibit talent in this art of gambling. By the grace of Krishna, the Pāndavas 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 śāstra 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 prasāda 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 © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness