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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.1.22

Who is speaking and story frame

तस्मै कामवरं तुष्टो भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: ।

ददाविलाभवत् तेन सुद्युम्न: पुरुषर्षभ: ॥ २२ ॥

tasmai kāma-varaṁ tuṣṭo

bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ

dadāv ilābhavat tena

sudyumnaḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, being pleased with Vasiṣṭha, gave him the benediction he desired. Thus Ilā was transformed into a very fine male named Sudyumna.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Grants the Benediction

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme controller.

  2. 2

    Being pleased with Vasiṣṭha, He granted the benediction Vasiṣṭha desired.

  3. 3

    Through this benediction, Ilā was transformed into a very fine male named Sudyumna.

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:

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. Thus Ilā became a beautiful young man named Sudyumna.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmaiunto him (Vasiṣṭha)
  2. kāma-varamthe desired benediction
  3. tuṣṭaḥbeing pleased
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality
  5. hariḥ īśvaraḥthe supreme controller, the Lord
  6. dadaugave
  7. ilāthe girl, Ilā
  8. abhavatbecame
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

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

How does recognizing the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the supreme controller shape my prayer?

Practice

In a brief prayer today, acknowledge the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the supreme controller.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Grants the BenedictionThis 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 9.1.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.