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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

9.20.18 9.20.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:King Duṣmantasince 9.20.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं दुरत्ययविक्रान्तमादाय प्रमदोत्तमा ।

हरेरंशांशसम्भूतं भर्तुरन्तिकमागमत् ॥ १९ ॥

taṁ duratyaya-vikrāntam

ādāya pramadottamā

harer aṁśāṁśa-sambhūtaṁ

bhartur antikam āgamat

Translation

Śakuntalā, the best of beautiful women, along with her son, whose strength was insurmountable and who was a partial expansion of the Supreme Godhead, approached her husband, Duṣmanta.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Śakuntalā Approaches Duṣmanta With Their Son

1
Śakuntalā, described as the best of beautiful women, approached her husband, Duṣmanta.
2
She brought her son with her, and his strength was insurmountable.
3
The verse identifies this son as a partial expansion of the Supreme Godhead.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.20