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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
9.14.389.14.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.39

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Urvaśīsince 9.14.36inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

संवत्सरान्ते हि भवानेकरात्रं मयेश्वर: ।

रंस्यत्यपत्यानि च ते भविष्यन्त्यपराणि भो: ॥ ३९ ॥

saṁvatsarānte hi bhavān

eka-rātraṁ mayeśvaraḥ

raṁsyaty apatyāni ca te

bhaviṣyanty aparāṇi bhoḥ

Translation

O my dear King, you will be able to enjoy with me as my husband at the end of every year, for one night only. In this way you will have other children, one after another.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Attachment Persists Despite Warnings

  1. 1

    Despite Urvaśī's adverse explanation of the nature of women, Purūravā remained very much attached to her.

  2. 2

    She therefore offered a concession: she would be his wife for one night at the end of each year.

  3. 3

    She told him that through these meetings he would have other children, one after another.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Urvaśī had adversely explained the nature of woman, Mahārāja Purūravā was very much attached to her, and therefore she wanted to give the King some concession by agreeing to be his wife for one night at the end of each year.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

By such a fire one can satisfy all lusty desires. The fire was considered the son of 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. saṁvatsara-anteat the end of every year
  2. hiindeed
  3. bhavānyour good self
  4. eka-rātramone night only
  5. mayāwith me
  6. īśvaraḥmy husband
  7. raṁsyatiwill enjoy sex life
  8. apatyānichildren
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “children”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “attached”

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

Have you noticed an attachment remaining strong even after hearing a warning?

Practice

Write down one warning you have heard but find difficult to act upon.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttachment Persists Despite WarningsThis 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 9.14.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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