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Study a Verse

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

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Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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How to study this verse, in six steps

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

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 11 · Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā

11.26.5 11.26.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.6

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.26.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

कामानतृप्तोऽनुजुषन् क्षुल्ल‍कान् वर्षयामिनी: ।

न वेद यान्तीर्नायान्तीरुर्वश्याकृष्टचेतन: ॥ ६ ॥

kāmān atṛpto ’nujuṣan

kṣullakān varṣa-yāminīḥ

na veda yāntīr nāyāntīr

urvaśy-ākṛṣṭa-cetanaḥ

Translation

Although for many years Purūravā had enjoyed sex pleasure in the evening hours, still he was not satisfied by such insignificant enjoyment. His mind was so attracted to Urvaśī that he did not notice how the nights were coming and going.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Repeated Pleasure Does Not Bring Satisfaction

1
Purūravā enjoyed sexual pleasure for many years, yet remained unsatisfied.
2
The verse calls this enjoyment insignificant despite his repeated pursuit of it.
3
His mind was so attracted to Urvaśī that he did not notice the nights coming and going.

Key points from the purport

This verse refers to Purūravā’s materialistic experience with Urvaśī.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 11.26