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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
9.14.399.14.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.40

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Urvaśīsince 9.14.36inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अन्तर्वत्नीमुपालक्ष्य देवीं स प्रययौ पुरीम् ।

पुनस्तत्र गतोऽब्दान्ते उर्वशीं वीरमातरम् ॥ ४० ॥

antarvatnīm upālakṣya

devīṁ sa prayayau purīm

punas tatra gato ’bdānte

urvaśīṁ vīra-mātaram

Translation

Understanding that Urvaśī was pregnant, Purūravā returned to his palace. At the end of the year, there at Kurukṣetra, he again obtained the association of Urvaśī, who was then the mother of a heroic son.

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.

Returning at the Appointed Time

  1. 1

    Purūravā understood that Urvaśī was pregnant.

  2. 2

    He returned to his palace and came back to Kurukṣetra at the end of the year.

  3. 3

    There he again obtained her association, and she was now the mother of a heroic son.

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:

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. Urvaśī then advised Purūravā to worship the Gandharvas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. antarvatnīmpregnant
  2. upālakṣyaby observing
  3. devīmUrvaśī
  4. saḥhe, King Purūravā
  5. prayayaureturned
  6. purīmto his palace
  7. punaḥagain
  8. tatraat that very spot
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: “mother”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 the year's interval invite you to notice about waiting?

Practice

Recall one thing you are waiting for, and calmly return to a task you can do today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReturning at the Appointed TimeThis 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 9.14.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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