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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.1311.26.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.14

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Ailasince 11.26.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaKing Aila → himself

सेवतो वर्षपूगान् मे उर्वश्या अधरासवम् ।

न तृप्यत्यात्मभू: कामो वह्निराहुतिभिर्यथा ॥ १४ ॥

sevato varṣa-pūgān me

urvaśyā adharāsavam

na tṛpyaty ātma-bhūḥ kāmo

vahnir āhutibhir yathā

Translation

Even after I had served the so-called nectar of the lips of Urvaśī for many years, my lusty desires kept rising again and again within my heart and were never satisfied, just like a fire that can never be extinguished by the oblations of ghee poured into its flames.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Indulgence Feeds the Fire of Lust

  1. 1

    Even after enjoying the so-called nectar of Urvaśī's lips for many years, the speaker remained unsatisfied.

  2. 2

    His lusty desires rose again and again within his heart. Repeated enjoyment did not bring them to an end.

  3. 3

    He compares this desire to a fire fed with offerings of ghee. What seems to satisfy lust instead keeps its flames burning.

How it feels

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The emperor Purūravā, who was bewildered by the association of the heavenly lady Urvaśī, later became renounced after being separated from her. He thus sang a song expressing his contempt for womanly connection.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sevataḥwho was serving
  2. varṣa-pūgānfor many years
  3. memy
  4. urvaśyāḥof Urvaśī
  5. adharaof the lips
  6. āsavamthe nectar
  7. na tṛpyatinever became satisfied
  8. ātma-bhūḥborn from the mind
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “lusty”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which repeated indulgence leaves me wanting more rather than feeling satisfied?

Practice

Today, decline one unnecessary indulgence that you have noticed strengthens your craving.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndulgence Feeds the Fire of LustThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.26.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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