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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 19: King Yayāti Achieves Liberation
9.19.109.19.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.19.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.19.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सम्बद्धवृषण: सोऽपि ह्यजया कूपलब्धया ।

कालं बहुतिथं भद्रे कामैर्नाद्यापि तुष्यति ॥ ११ ॥

sambaddha-vṛṣaṇaḥ so ’pi

hy ajayā kūpa-labdhayā

kālaṁ bahu-tithaṁ bhadre

kāmair nādyāpi tuṣyati

Translation

My dear wife, when the he-goat had his testicles restored, he enjoyed the she-goat he had gotten from the well, but although he continued to enjoy for many, many years, even now he has not been fully satisfied.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lasting Enjoyment Does Not End Desire

  1. 1

    After his bodily capacity was restored, the he-goat continued enjoying for many years. Even then, he was not fully satisfied.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that sexual desires bound up with affection for one’s wife are very difficult to overcome. It therefore recommends voluntary retirement from household enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Human life is meant for tapasya, or austerity. Voluntarily giving up sexual enjoyment and engaging in spiritual activities with devotees fulfills life’s actual purpose.

Key points from the purport
  • When one is bound by affection for one’s wife, one is attached to sexual desires that are very difficult to overcome.
  • Therefore, according to Vedic civilization, one must voluntarily leave his so-called home and go to the forest.
  • By the austerity of voluntarily stopping sex life at home and going to the forest to engage in spiritual activities in the association of devotees, one achieves the actual purpose of human life.

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

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

Further reading

Chapter 19: King Yayāti Achieves Liberation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then the he-goat enjoyed sex with the she-goat for many years, but still he was not satisfied. If one is lusty and greedy, even the total stock of gold in this world cannot satisfy one’s lusty desires.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.19
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sambaddha-vṛṣaṇaḥrejoined with his testicles
  2. saḥhe
  3. apialso
  4. hiindeed
  5. ajayāwith the she-goat
  6. kūpa-labdhayāwhom he got from the well
  7. kālamfor a time
  8. bahu-tithamof a long, long duration
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.19

    In this verse: “household”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 9.19

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What repeated enjoyment has failed to give you lasting satisfaction?

Practice

Give up one optional pleasure today and use that time for a spiritual activity in the company of devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLasting Enjoyment Does Not End DesireThis 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.

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