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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

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 18: King Yayāti Regains His Youth

9.18.16 9.18.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.18.17

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.18.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवंविधै: सुपरुषै: क्षिप्‍त्वाचार्यसुतां सतीम् ।

शर्मिष्ठा प्राक्षिपत् कूपे वासश्चादाय मन्युना ॥ १७ ॥

evaṁ-vidhaiḥ suparuṣaiḥ

kṣiptvācārya-sutāṁ satīm

śarmiṣṭhā prākṣipat kūpe

vāsaś cādāya manyunā

Translation

Using such unkind words, Śarmiṣṭhā rebuked Devayānī, the daughter of Śukrācārya. In anger, she took away Devayānī’s garments and threw Devayānī into a well.

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.

Anger Can Turn Words Into Harm

1
Śarmiṣṭhā rebuked Devayānī, the daughter of Śukrācārya, with unkind words.
2
In anger, she took away Devayānī's garments.
3
She then threw Devayānī into a well. Her anger had moved from harsh speech to physical harm.

How it feels

Insatiable desire → Renunciation. Exhausted enjoyment generates insight.

Chapters 18–19 of Canto 9: Yayāti's craving and liberation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 18: King Yayāti Regains His Youth

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Devayānī, being very angry, rebuked Śarmiṣṭhā, who also became very angry and responded by rebuking Devayānī and throwing her into a well. By chance, King Yayāti came to that well to drink water, and he found Devayānī and rescued her.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.18