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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 14: King Purūravā Enchanted by Urvaśī
9.14.409.14.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.41

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

उपलभ्य मुदा युक्त: समुवास तया निशाम् ।

अथैनमुर्वशी प्राह कृपणं विरहातुरम् ॥ ४१ ॥

upalabhya mudā yuktaḥ

samuvāsa tayā niśām

athainam urvaśī prāha

kṛpaṇaṁ virahāturam

Translation

Having regained Urvaśī at the end of the year, King Purūravā was most jubilant, and he enjoyed her company in sex for one night. But then he was very sorry at the thought of separation from her, so Urvaśī spoke to him as follows.

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.

Brief Pleasure Followed by Separation

  1. 1

    At the end of the year, Purūravā was most jubilant to regain Urvaśī's company.

  2. 2

    He enjoyed sexual union with her for one night.

  3. 3

    His joy was followed by sorrow at the thought of separation, and Urvaśī then spoke to him.

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. upalabhyagetting the association
  2. mudāin great jubilation
  3. yuktaḥbeing united
  4. samuvāsaenjoyed her company in sex
  5. tayāwith her
  6. niśāmthat night
  7. athathereafter
  8. enamunto King Purūravā
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”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “separation”

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

How does fear of losing a pleasure affect your experience of it?

Practice

Notice one moment when enjoyment turns into worry about losing it, and write down that change.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrief Pleasure Followed by SeparationThis 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 9.14.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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