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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 20: The Dynasty of Pūru
9.20.8-99.20.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.10

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद्दर्शनप्रमुदित: सन्निवृत्तपरिश्रम: ।

पप्रच्छ कामसन्तप्त: प्रहसञ्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ १० ॥

tad-darśana-pramuditaḥ

sannivṛtta-pariśramaḥ

papraccha kāma-santaptaḥ

prahasañ ślakṣṇayā girā

Translation

Seeing the beautiful woman, the King was very much enlivened, and the fatigue of his hunting excursion was relieved. He was of course very much attracted because of lusty desires, and thus he inquired from her as follows, in a joking mood.

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.

Attraction Changes the King’s Mood

  1. 1

    Seeing the beautiful woman greatly enlivened the King.

  2. 2

    His fatigue from hunting was relieved. The translation also makes clear that his attraction arose from lusty desires.

  3. 3

    In this attracted state, he began to inquire from her in a joking mood.

How it feels

Historical movement → Anticipation. The narrative narrows toward its divine center.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 9: Lineages leading to the appearance of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Pūru

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

While hunting in the forest, Duṣmanta once approached the āśrama of Mahāṛṣi Kaṇva, where he saw an extremely beautiful woman and became attracted to her. That woman was the daughter of Viśvāmitra, and her name was Śakuntalā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-darśana-pramuditaḥbeing very much enlivened by seeing the beautiful woman
  2. sannivṛtta-pariśramaḥbeing relieved of the fatigue of the hunting excursion
  3. papracchahe inquired from her
  4. kāma-santaptaḥbeing agitated by lusty desires
  5. prahasanin a joking mood
  6. ślakṣṇayāvery beautiful and pleasing
  7. girāwith words
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “inquired”, “inquire”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “lusty”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “king”

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

Do I notice when desire influences my mood and speech?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause briefly to notice the desire or feeling shaping your words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttraction Changes the King’s MoodThis 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 9.20.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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