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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
9.14.239.14.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.24

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.14.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तया स पुरुषश्रेष्ठो रमयन्त्या यथार्हत: ।

रेमे सुरविहारेषु कामं चैत्ररथादिषु ॥ २४ ॥

tayā sa puruṣa-śreṣṭho

ramayantyā yathārhataḥ

reme sura-vihāreṣu

kāmaṁ caitrarathādiṣu

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: The best of human beings, Purūravā, began freely enjoying the company of Urvaśī, who engaged in sexual activities with him in many celestial places, such as Caitraratha and Nandana-kānana, where the demigods enjoy.

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.

Enjoyment in Celestial Gardens

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes Purūravā as the best of human beings.

  2. 2

    Purūravā freely enjoyed Urvaśī’s company, and they engaged in sexual activities together.

  3. 3

    They enjoyed in celestial places such as Caitraratha and Nandana-kānana, where the demigods enjoy.

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:

Urvaśī was captivated by Purūravā’s beauty, and therefore she lived with him for some time, but when she left his company he became almost like a madman. While traveling all over the world, he met Urvaśī again at Kurukṣetra, but she agreed to join with him for only one night in a year.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tayāwith her
  2. saḥhe
  3. puruṣa-śreṣṭhaḥthe best of human beings (Purūravā)
  4. ramayantyāenjoying
  5. yathā-arhataḥas far as possible
  6. remeenjoyed
  7. sura-vihāreṣuin places resembling the heavenly parks
  8. kāmamaccording to his desire
  9. caitraratha-ādiṣuin the best gardens, like Caitraratha
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: “nandana-kānana”

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 kind of enjoyment occupies most of my attention?

Practice

Take a moment today to notice how a pleasant setting increases your desire for enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEnjoyment in Celestial GardensThis 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 9.14.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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