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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
9.20.359.20.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.36

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अन्तर्वत्‍न्यां भ्रातृपत्‍न्यां मैथुनाय बृहस्पति: ।

प्रवृत्तो वारितो गर्भं शप्‍त्वा वीर्यमुपासृजत् ॥ ३६ ॥

antarvatnyāṁ bhrātṛ-patnyāṁ

maithunāya bṛhaspatiḥ

pravṛtto vārito garbhaṁ

śaptvā vīryam upāsṛjat

Translation

When the demigod named Bṛhaspati was attracted by his brother’s wife, Mamatā, who at that time was pregnant, he desired to have sexual relations with her. The son within her womb forbade this, but Bṛhaspati cursed him and forcibly discharged semen into the womb of Mamatā.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learning Alone Does Not Prevent Agitation

  1. 1

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the sex impulse is very strong in this material world. It can agitate even a learned personality.

  2. 2

    Bṛhaspati was the priest of the demigods and a very learned scholar, yet he desired his brother’s pregnant wife.

  3. 3

    The child within Mamatā’s womb forbade his action, but Bṛhaspati cursed him and acted by force. Even the society of higher demigods is not free from such agitation.

Key points from the purport
  • The sex impulse is so strong in this material world that even Bṛhaspati, who is supposed to be the priest of the demigods and a very learned scholar, wanted to have a sexual relationship with his brother’s pregnant wife.
  • This can happen even in the society of the higher demigods, so what to speak of human society?

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:

Therefore, when Śakuntalā approached him with her newly born child, Mahārāja Duṣmanta refused to accept them as his wife and son. Later, however, after a mysterious omen, the King accepted them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. antaḥ-vatnyāmpregnant
  2. bhrātṛ-patnyāmwith the brother’s wife
  3. maithunāyadesiring sexual enjoyment
  4. bṛhaspatiḥthe demigod named Bṛhaspati
  5. pravṛttaḥso inclined
  6. vāritaḥwhen forbidden to do so
  7. garbhamthe son within the abdomen
  8. śaptvāby cursing
  9. vīryamsemen
  10. upāsṛjatdischarged
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “free from”

  • 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

Do I assume that knowledge alone makes me safe from strong impulses?

Practice

If a strong desire agitates you today, pause before acting and consider whether your action would disregard another person’s objection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearning Alone Does Not Prevent AgitationThis 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 9.20.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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