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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 14: King Purūravā Enchanted by Urvaśī
9.14.19.14.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.2

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सहस्रशिरस: पुंसो नाभिह्रदसरोरुहात् ।

जातस्यासीत् सुतो धातुरत्रि: पितृसमो गुणै: ॥ २ ॥

sahasra-śirasaḥ puṁso

nābhi-hrada-saroruhāt

jātasyāsīt suto dhātur

atriḥ pitṛ-samo guṇaiḥ

Translation

Lord Viṣṇu [Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu] is also known as Sahasra-śīrṣā Puruṣa. From the lake of His navel sprang a lotus, on which Lord Brahmā was generated. Atri, the son of Lord Brahmā, was as qualified as his father.

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.

Brahmā Appears from Lord Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, is also known as Sahasra-śīrṣā Puruṣa.

  2. 2

    A lotus sprang from the lake of His navel, and Lord Brahmā was generated upon it.

  3. 3

    Atri was Lord Brahmā’s son and was as qualified as his father.

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:

Lord Brahmā was born from the lotus that sprouted from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Brahmā had a son named Atri, and Atri’s son was Soma, the king of all drugs and stars.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sahasra-śirasaḥwho has thousands of heads
  2. puṁsaḥof Lord Viṣṇu (Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu)
  3. nābhi-hrada-saroruhātfrom the lotus produced from the lake of the navel
  4. jātasyawho appeared
  5. āsītthere was
  6. sutaḥa son
  7. dhātuḥof Lord Brahmā
  8. atriḥby the name Atri
  9. pitṛ-samaḥlike his father
  10. guṇaiḥqualified
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 9.14

    In this verse: “father”

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 this account help me remember about Lord Brahmā’s origin?

Practice

Write a short sequence showing Lord Viṣṇu, the lotus, Lord Brahmā, and Atri as described here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Appears from Lord ViṣṇuThis 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 9.14.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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