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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

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 9 · Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman

9.1.19 9.1.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.1.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.1.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतत् सङ्कल्पवैषम्यं होतुस्ते व्यभिचारत: ।

तथापि साधयिष्ये ते सुप्रजास्त्वं स्वतेजसा ॥ २० ॥

etat saṅkalpa-vaiṣamyaṁ

hotus te vyabhicārataḥ

tathāpi sādhayiṣye te

suprajāstvaṁ sva-tejasā

Translation

This discrepancy in the objective is due to your priest’s deviation from the original purpose. However, by my own prowess I shall give you a good son.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Deviation from Purpose Changes the Result

1
Vasiṣṭha explained that the discrepancy arose from the priest’s deviation.
2
The priest had departed from the original purpose of the sacrifice.
3
Despite that deviation, Vasiṣṭha assured Manu that by his own prowess he would give him a good son.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.1