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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
9.20.79.20.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.20.8-9

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दुष्मन्तो मृगयां यात: कण्वाश्रमपदं गत: ।

तत्रासीनां स्वप्रभया मण्डयन्तीं रमामिव ॥ ८ ॥

विलोक्य सद्यो मुमुहे देवमायामिव स्त्रियम् ।

बभाषे तां वरारोहां भटै: कतिपयैर्वृत: ॥ ९ ॥

duṣmanto mṛgayāṁ yātaḥ

kaṇvāśrama-padaṁ gataḥ

tatrāsīnāṁ sva-prabhayā

maṇḍayantīṁ ramām iva

vilokya sadyo mumuhe

deva-māyām iva striyam

babhāṣe tāṁ varārohāṁ

bhaṭaiḥ katipayair vṛtaḥ

Translation

Once when King Duṣmanta went to the forest to hunt and was very much fatigued, he approached the residence of Kaṇva Muni. There he saw a most beautiful woman who looked exactly like the goddess of fortune and who sat there illuminating the entire āśrama by her effulgence. The King was naturally attracted by her beauty, and therefore he approached her, accompanied by some of his soldiers, and spoke to her.

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.

Duṣmanta Encounters Beauty at the Āśrama

  1. 1

    King Duṣmanta became very fatigued while hunting in the forest. He approached the residence of Kaṇva Muni.

  2. 2

    There he saw a most beautiful woman who looked like the goddess of fortune. Her effulgence illuminated the entire āśrama.

  3. 3

    The King was naturally attracted by her beauty. Accompanied by some soldiers, he approached her and spoke.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. duṣmantaḥMahārāja Duṣmanta
  2. mṛgayām yātaḥwhen he went hunting
  3. kaṇva-āśrama-padamto the residence of Kaṇva
  4. gataḥhe came
  5. tatrathere
  6. āsīnāma woman sitting
  7. sva-prabhayāby her own beauty
  8. maṇḍayantīmilluminating
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “āśrama”

  • 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 does this account show beauty drawing the King’s attention?

Practice

During one moment of attraction today, pause and notice how it directs your attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDuṣmanta Encounters Beauty at the ĀśramaThis 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 9.20.8-9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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