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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Pūru
9.20.169.20.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.17

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Duṣmantasince 9.20.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अमोघवीर्यो राजर्षिर्महिष्यां वीर्यमादधे ।

श्वोभूते स्वपुरं यात: कालेनासूत सा सुतम् ॥ १७ ॥

amogha-vīryo rājarṣir

mahiṣyāṁ vīryam ādadhe

śvo-bhūte sva-puraṁ yātaḥ

kālenāsūta sā sutam

Translation

King Duṣmanta, who never discharged semen without a result, placed his semen at night in the womb of his Queen, Śakuntalā, and in the morning he returned to his palace. Thereafter, in due course of time, Śakuntalā gave birth to a son.

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.

Śakuntalā Gives Birth to a Son

  1. 1

    King Duṣmanta conceived a child with his Queen, Śakuntalā. The translation states that his semen never failed to produce a result.

  2. 2

    The King returned to his palace the following morning.

  3. 3

    In due course of time, Śakuntalā gave birth to a son.

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:

In due course of time, Śakuntalā gave birth to a Vaiṣṇava son, but Duṣmanta, having returned to the capital, forgot what had taken place. Therefore, when Śakuntalā approached him with her newly born child, Mahārāja Duṣmanta refused to accept them as his wife and son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. amogha-vīryaḥa person who discharges semen without being baffled, or, in other words, who must beget a child
  2. rāja-ṛṣiḥthe saintly King Duṣmanta
  3. mahiṣyāminto the Queen, Śakuntalā (after her marriage, Śakuntalā became the Queen)
  4. vīryamsemen
  5. ādadheplaced
  6. śvaḥ-bhūtein the morning
  7. sva-puramto his own place
  8. yātaḥreturned
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “child”

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

What sequence of events does this verse describe in Śakuntalā's family life?

Practice

Read the translation once more and recall its three events in order.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayŚakuntalā Gives Birth to a SonThis 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 9.20.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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