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

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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman
9.1.159.1.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.1.16

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.1.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

होतुस्तद्‌व्यभिचारेण कन्येला नाम साभवत् ।

तां विलोक्य मनु: प्राह नातितुष्टमना गुरुम् ॥ १६ ॥

hotus tad-vyabhicāreṇa

kanyelā nāma sābhavat

tāṁ vilokya manuḥ prāha

nātituṣṭamanā gurum

Translation

Manu had begun that sacrifice for the sake of getting a son, but because the priest was diverted by the request of Manu’s wife, a daughter named Ilā was born. Upon seeing the daughter, Manu was not very satisfied. Thus he spoke to his guru, Vasiṣṭha, as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Manu’s Pleasure Was Temporary

  1. 1

    Manu began the sacrifice to obtain a son, but the priest was diverted by his wife’s request. A daughter named Ilā was born.

  2. 2

    Because Manu had no child, he was initially very glad at Ilā’s birth and gave her that name.

  3. 3

    His pleasure was temporary: he later felt dissatisfied because he had wanted a son. He spoke to his guru, Vasiṣṭha.

Key points from the purport
  • Because Manu had no issue, he was pleased at the birth of the child, even though a daughter, and gave her the name Ilā.
  • Later, however, he was not very satisfied to see the daughter instead of a son.
  • Because he had no issue, he was certainly very glad at the birth of Ilā, but his pleasure was temporary.

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

Change → Acceptance. The instability of worldly identities is a recurring premise.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 9: Dynastic origins and domestic transformations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Manu, however, was not satisfied with the daughter. Consequently, for Manu’s satisfaction, the great sage Vasiṣṭha prayed for Ilā to be transformed into a boy, and his prayer was fulfilled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hotuḥof the priest
  2. tatof the yajña
  3. vyabhicāreṇaby that transgression
  4. kanyāa daughter
  5. ilāIlā
  6. nāmaby the name
  7. sāthat daughter
  8. abhavatwas born
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.1

    In this verse: “child”

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

Have my expectations ever kept me from remaining grateful for something that first brought me joy?

Practice

Write down one good thing you received and notice whether an unmet expectation has diminished your appreciation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayManu’s Pleasure Was TemporaryThis 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 9.1.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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