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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
9.20.129.20.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.13

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śakuntalāsince 9.20.13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशकुन्तलोवाच

विश्वामित्रात्मजैवाहं त्यक्ता मेनकया वने ।

वेदैतद् भगवान् कण्वो वीर किं करवाम ते ॥ १३ ॥

śrī-śakuntalovāca

viśvāmitrātmajaivāhaṁ

tyaktā menakayā vane

vedaitad bhagavān kaṇvo

vīra kiṁ karavāma te

Translation

Śakuntalā said: I am the daughter of Viśvāmitra. My mother, Menakā, left me in the forest. O hero, the most powerful saint Kaṇva Muni knows all about this. Now let me know, how may I serve you?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honest Introduction and Willingness to Serve

  1. 1

    Śakuntalā identified herself as the daughter of Viśvāmitra. Her mother, Menakā, had left her in the forest.

  2. 2

    Although she had never seen or known her parents, she had learned about them from Kaṇva Muni, who knew everything about her.

  3. 3

    After explaining her background, Śakuntalā respectfully asked how she could serve her visitor.

Key points from the purport
  • Śakuntalā informed Mahārāja Duṣmanta that although she never saw or knew her father or mother, Kaṇva Muni knew everything about her, and she had heard from him that she was the daughter of Viśvāmitra and that her mother was Menakā, who had left her in the forest.

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

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:

Her mother was Menakā, who had left her in the forest, where Kaṇva Muni found her. Kaṇva Muni brought her to his āśrama, where he raised and maintained her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śakuntalā uvācaŚrī Śakuntalā replied
  2. viśvāmitra-ātmajāthe daughter of Viśvāmitra
  3. evaindeed
  4. ahamI (am)
  5. tyaktāleft
  6. menakayāby Menakā
  7. vanein the forest
  8. vedaknows
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “mother”

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 can I speak honestly about myself while remaining attentive to another person's needs?

Practice

Ask someone today, “How may I serve you?”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonest Introduction and Willingness to ServeThis 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 9.20.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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