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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayāti
9.23.349.23.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.23.35-36

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.23.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ज्यामघस्त्वप्रजोऽप्यन्यां भार्यां शैब्यापतिर्भयात् ।

नाविन्दच्छत्रुभवनाद् भोज्यां कन्यामहारषीत् ।

रथस्थां तां निरीक्ष्याह शैब्या पतिममर्षिता ॥ ३५ ॥

केयं कुहक मत्स्थानं रथमारोपितेति वै ।

स्‍नुषा तवेत्यभिहिते स्मयन्ती पतिमब्रवीत् ॥ ३६ ॥

jyāmaghas tv aprajo ’py anyāṁ

bhāryāṁ śaibyā-patir bhayāt

nāvindac chatru-bhavanād

bhojyāṁ kanyām ahāraṣīt

ratha-sthāṁ tāṁ nirīkṣyāha

śaibyā patim amarṣitā

keyaṁ kuhaka mat-sthānaṁ

ratham āropiteti vai

snuṣā tavety abhihite

smayantī patim abravīt

Translation

Jyāmagha had no sons, but because he was fearful of his wife, Śaibyā, he could not accept another wife. Jyāmagha once took from the house of some royal enemy a girl who was a prostitute, but upon seeing her Śaibyā was very angry and said to her husband, “My husband, you cheater, who is this girl sitting upon my seat on the chariot?” Jyāmagha then replied, “This girl will be your daughter-in-law.” Upon hearing these joking words, Śaibyā smilingly replied.

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.

Jyāmagha’s Unexpected Reply to Śaibyā

  1. 1

    Jyāmagha had no sons. Because he feared his wife, Śaibyā, he did not accept another wife.

  2. 2

    He brought a girl who was a prostitute from a royal enemy’s house. Śaibyā became very angry on seeing the girl sitting in her seat on the chariot.

  3. 3

    Jyāmagha said that the girl would be Śaibyā’s daughter-in-law. On hearing these joking words, Śaibyā replied with a smile.

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 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayāti

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Rucaka had five sons, one of whom was known as Jyāmagha. Jyāmagha was sonless, but by the mercy of the demigods his childless wife gave birth to a son named Vidarbha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jyāmaghaḥKing Jyāmagha
  2. tuindeed
  3. aprajaḥ apialthough issueless
  4. anyāmanother
  5. bhāryāmwife
  6. śaibyā-patiḥbecause he was the husband of Śaibyā
  7. bhayātout of fear
  8. na avindatdid not accept
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.23

    In this verse: “fearful”, “feared”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.23

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 do you notice about Śaibyā’s changing response during this exchange?

Practice

Reread the exchange and identify what prompted Śaibyā’s anger and what preceded her smile.

Live this todayJyāmagha’s Unexpected Reply to ŚaibyāThis 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 9.23.35-36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.