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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

9.14.32 9.14.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.33

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

स तां वीक्ष्य कुरुक्षेत्रे सरस्वत्यां च तत्सखी: ।

पञ्च प्रहृष्टवदन: प्राह सूक्तं पुरूरवा: ॥ ३३ ॥

sa tāṁ vīkṣya kurukṣetre

sarasvatyāṁ ca tat-sakhīḥ

pañca prahṛṣṭa-vadanaḥ

prāha sūktaṁ purūravāḥ

Translation

Once during his travels all over the world, Purūravā saw Urvaśī, accompanied by five companions, on the bank of the Sarasvatī at Kurukṣetra. With jubilation in his face, he then spoke to her in sweet words as follows.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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.

A Reunion Brings Joy

1
During his travels around the world, Purūravā saw Urvaśī again.
2
She was with five companions on the bank of the Sarasvatī at Kurukṣetra.
3
His face became joyful, and he spoke to her in sweet words.

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:

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. One year later, Purūravā saw Urvaśī at Kurukṣetra and was glad to be with her for one night, but when he thought of her leaving him again, he was overwhelmed by grief.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

saḥhe, Purūravā
tāmUrvaśī
vīkṣyaobserving
kurukṣetreat the place known as Kurukṣetra
sarasvatyāmon the bank of the Sarasvatī
caalso
tat-sakhīḥher companions
pañcafive

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
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 9.14
In this verse: “companions”
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 9.14
In this verse: “sweet”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the joy of meeting someone dear affect the way you speak?

Practice

Offer a few warm, thoughtful words to someone you are glad to see today.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Reunion Brings JoyThis 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 9.14.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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