Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.16.32
यो रातो देवयजने देवैर्गाधिषु तापस: ।
देवरात इति ख्यात: शुन:शेफस्तु भार्गव: ॥ ३२ ॥
yo rāto deva-yajane
[yo raato deva-yajane]
devair gādhiṣu tāpasaḥ
[devair gaadhishu taapasah]
deva-rāta iti khyātaḥ
[deva-raata iti khyaatah]
śunaḥśephas tu bhārgavaḥ
[shunahshephas tu bhaargavah]
Word-for-word
yaḥ
—
he who (Śunaḥśepha)
rātaḥ
—
was protected
deva-yajane
—
in the arena for worshiping the demigods
devaiḥ
—
by the same demigods
gādhiṣu
—
in the dynasty of Gādhi
tāpasaḥ
—
advanced in executing spiritual life
deva-rātaḥ
—
protected by the demigods
iti
—
thus
khyātaḥ
—
celebrated
śunaḥśephaḥ tu
—
as well as Śunaḥśepha
bhārgavaḥ
—
in the dynasty of Bhṛgu.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yo rāto deva-yajane
yaḥ
he who (Śunaḥśepha)
devair gādhiṣu tāpasaḥ
deva-rāta iti khyātaḥ
rātaḥ
was protected
deva-yajane
in the arena for worshiping the demigods
devaiḥ
by the same demigods
śunaḥśephas tu bhārgavaḥ
gādhiṣu
in the dynasty of Gādhi
tāpasaḥ
advanced in executing spiritual life
deva-rātaḥ
protected by the demigods
iti
thus
khyātaḥ
celebrated
śunaḥśephaḥ tu
as well as Śunaḥśepha
bhārgavaḥ
in the dynasty of Bhṛgu.
Although Śunaḥśepha was born in the Bhārgava dynasty, he was greatly advanced in spiritual life, and therefore the demigods involved in the sacrifice protected him. Consequently he was also celebrated as the descendant of Gādhi named Devarāta.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Although Śunaḥśepha was born in the Bhārgava dynasty, because he was protected by the devatās during the sacrifice, he was also celebrated as the descendant of Gādhi and named Devarāta because of his austerities.
Though he was born in the Bhārgava dynasty, because he became the object of mercy of Viśvāmitra, he became known as Devarāta of Gādhi’s dynasty because of his austerities.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Despite his Bhārgava birth, Śunaḥśepha was so spiritually advanced that demigods protected him. Real spiritual advancement attracts the attention and protection of higher beings — even across what we treat as caste.
Reflection Questions
- Where am I underestimating someone's protection because I do not recognize the protectors?
- What practice draws the attention of higher beings, and am I doing any of it?
My note
Source: vedabase.io