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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 9.14.11

Who is speaking and story frame

ममायं न तवेत्युच्चैस्तस्मिन् विवदमानयो: ।

पप्रच्छुऋर्षयो देवा नैवोचे व्रीडिता तु सा ॥ ११ ॥

mamāyaṁ na tavety uccais

tasmin vivadamānayoḥ

papracchur ṛṣayo devā

naivoce vrīḍitā tu sā

Translation

Fighting again broke out between Bṛhaspati and the moon-god, both of whom claimed, “This is my child, not yours!” All the saints and demigods present asked Tārā whose child the newborn baby actually was, but because she was ashamed she could not immediately answer.

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.

Shame Can Delay the Truth

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati and the moon-god again fought, each claiming that the newborn child was his.

  2. 2

    The saints and demigods present asked Tārā whose child the baby actually was.

  3. 3

    Because Tārā was ashamed, she could not immediately answer. Her silence left the dispute unresolved.

How it feels

Longing and conflict → Detachment and justice. Dynastic episodes explore personal desire and force.

Chapters 13–17 of Canto 9: Nimi, Purūravā and Paraśurāma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: King Purūravā Enchanted by Urvaśī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A great fight ensued between the demigods and the asuras, but Brahmā rescued Bṛhaspati’s wife from the clutches of Soma and returned her to her husband, thus stopping the fighting. In the womb of Tārā, Soma begot a son named Budha, who later begot in the womb of Ilā a son named Aila, or Purūravā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mamamine
  2. ayamthis (child)
  3. nanot
  4. tavayours
  5. itithus
  6. uccaiḥvery loudly
  7. tasminfor the child
  8. vivadamānayoḥwhen the two parties were fighting
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “child”, “baby”

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

When has shame made it difficult for me to give an honest answer?

Practice

Notice one question you have avoided through embarrassment, and prepare a truthful answer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShame Can Delay the TruthThis 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 9.14.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.