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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 14: King Purūravā Enchanted by Urvaśī

9.14.29 9.14.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.30

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

इति वाक्सायकैर्बिद्ध: प्रतोत्त्रैरिव कुञ्जर: ।

निशि निस्त्रिंशमादाय विवस्त्रोऽभ्यद्रवद् रुषा ॥ ३० ॥

iti vāk-sāyakair biddhaḥ

pratottrair iva kuñjaraḥ

niśi nistriṁśam ādāya

vivastro ’bhyadravad ruṣā

Translation

Purūravā, stricken by the sharp words of Urvaśī like an elephant struck by its driver’s pointed rod, became very angry. Not even dressing himself properly, he took a sword in hand and went out naked into the night to follow the Gandharvas who had stolen the lambs.

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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.

Sharp Words Provoke Angry Haste

1
Urvaśī’s sharp words struck Purūravā like an elephant driver’s pointed rod.
2
He became very angry and took a sword in his hand.
3
Without dressing properly, he went out naked into the night to pursue the Gandharvas who had stolen the lambs.

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

Chapter 14: King Purūravā Enchanted by Urvaśī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thereafter he went to the same place where he had left Agnisthālī, and there he saw that from the womb of a śamī tree had come an aśvattha tree. Purūravā made two sticks from this tree and thus produced a fire.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.14