1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

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
9.20.159.20.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.16

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Duṣmantasince 9.20.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ओमित्युक्ते यथाधर्ममुपयेमे शकुन्तलाम् ।

गान्धर्वविधिना राजा देशकालविधानवित् ॥ १६ ॥

om ity ukte yathā-dharmam

upayeme śakuntalām

gāndharva-vidhinā rājā

deśa-kāla-vidhānavit

Translation

When Śakuntalā responded to Mahārāja Duṣmanta’s proposal with silence, the agreement was complete. Then the King, who knew the laws of marriage, immediately married her by chanting the Vedic praṇava [oṁkāra], in accordance with the marriage ceremony as performed among the Gandharvas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Marriage Invokes the Supreme Lord's Blessings

  1. 1

    Duṣmanta married Śakuntalā by chanting the Vedic praṇava, following the marriage ceremony of the Gandharvas.

  2. 2

    The oṁkāra is the Supreme Personality of Godhead represented by letters. Religious principles are meant to invoke the blessings and mercy of Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    The association of men and women according to religious principles is allowed in Vedic culture. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement accepts marriage on this religious basis, not sexual relations merely as friends.

Key points from the purport
  • The oṁkāra, praṇava, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead represented by letters.
  • The association of men and women according to religious principles is allowed in the Vedic culture.
  • In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we allow marriage on the basis of religious principles, but the sexual combination of men and women as friends is irreligious and is not allowed.

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:

When Śakuntalā accepted Mahārāja Duṣmanta as her husband, he married her according to the gāndharva-vidhi. Śakuntalā later became pregnant by her husband, who left her in the āśrama of Kaṇva Muni and returned to his kingdom.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. om iti ukteby reciting the Vedic praṇava, invoking the Supreme Personality of Godhead to witness the marriage
  2. yathā-dharmamexactly according to the principles of religion (because Nārāyaṇa becomes the witness in an ordinary religious marriage also)
  3. upayemehe married
  4. śakuntalāmthe girl Śakuntalā
  5. gāndharva-vidhināby the regulative principle of the Gandharvas, without deviation from religious principles
  6. rājāMahārāja Duṣmanta
  7. deśa-kāla-vidhāna-vitcompletely aware of duties according to time, position and objective
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “chanting”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • 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

How can remembering Kṛṣṇa make my understanding of marriage more sacred and responsible?

Practice

Pause today to ask Kṛṣṇa for mercy in honoring religious principles.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMarriage Invokes the Supreme Lord's BlessingsThis 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 9.20.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories