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

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 5 · Chapter 2: The Activities of Mahārāja Āgnīdhra
5.2.165.2.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.2.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.2.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति ललनानुनयातिविशारदो ग्राम्यवैदग्ध्यया परिभाषया तां विबुधवधूं विबुधमतिरधिसभाजयामास ॥ १७ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti lalanānunayāti-viśārado grāmya-vaidagdhyayā paribhāṣayā tāṁ vibudha-vadhūṁ vibudha-matir adhisabhājayām āsa.

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Mahārāja Āgnīdhra, whose intelligence was like that of a demigod, knew the art of flattering women to win them to his side. He therefore pleased that celestial girl with his lusty words and gained her favor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Āgnīdhra Sought a Wife for Progeny

  1. 1

    Although Āgnīdhra spoke lusty words, the purport explains that he was a devotee and actually had no attraction for material enjoyment.

  2. 2

    He wanted a wife for progeny, and Lord Brahmā had sent Pūrvacitti for this purpose.

  3. 3

    Āgnīdhra expertly pleased her with flattering words and gained her favor. One skilled in this art is called vidagdha.

Key points from the purport
  • Since King Āgnīdhra was a devotee, he actually had no attraction for material enjoyment, but because he wanted a wife for progeny and Lord Brahmā had sent Pūrvacitti for this purpose, he expertly pleased her with flattering words.
  • Women are attracted by a man’s flattering words.
  • One who is expert in this art of flattery is called vidagdha.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Responsibility → Renunciation. Leadership is set beside the renounced ideal.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 5: Priyavrata and Ṛṣabhadeva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: The Activities of Mahārāja Āgnīdhra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus he attracted the celestial girl, who was pleased to accept him as her husband because of his mellifluous words. She enjoyed royal happiness with Āgnīdhra for many years before returning to her abode in the heavenly planets.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. lalanāwomen
  4. anunayain winning over
  5. ati-viśāradaḥvery expert
  6. grāmya-vaidagdhyayāexpert in fulfilling one’s material desires
  7. paribhāṣayāby selected words
  8. tāmher
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 5.2

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 5.2

    In this verse: “favor”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.2

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

What does the purport help you understand about Āgnīdhra’s purpose?

Practice

Reread the purport and identify the reason Āgnīdhra wanted a wife.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayĀgnīdhra Sought a Wife for ProgenyThis 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 5.2.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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