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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
9.14.49.14.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.14.5

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदा स देवगुरुणा याचितोऽभीक्ष्णशो मदात् ।

नात्यजत् तत्कृते जज्ञे सुरदानवविग्रह: ॥ ५ ॥

yadā sa deva-guruṇā

yācito ’bhīkṣṇaśo madāt

nātyajat tat-kṛte jajñe

sura-dānava-vigrahaḥ

Translation

Although requested again and again by Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, Soma did not return Tārā. This was due to his false pride. Consequently, a fight ensued between the demigods and the demons.

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.

False Pride Refuses Correction

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, repeatedly asked Soma to return Tārā.

  2. 2

    Because of false pride, Soma refused to return her.

  3. 3

    His refusal led to a fight between the demigods and the demons.

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:

Soma became the conqueror of the entire universe, and, being inflated with pride, he kidnapped Tārā, who was the wife of Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods. A great fight ensued between the demigods and the asuras, but Brahmā rescued Bṛhaspati’s wife from the clutches of Soma and returned her to her husband, thus stopping the fighting.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. saḥhe (Soma, the moon-god)
  3. deva-guruṇāby the spiritual master of the demigods, Bṛhaspati
  4. yācitaḥwas begged
  5. abhīkṣṇaśaḥagain and again
  6. madātbecause of false pride
  7. nanot
  8. atyajatdid deliver
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 9.14

    In this verse: “pride”

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

Is false pride keeping me from responding to a reasonable request?

Practice

Reconsider one request you have resisted, and take a small step to respond without pride.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFalse Pride Refuses CorrectionThis 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 9.14.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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