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

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 3: The Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana Muni
9.3.229.3.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.3.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Cyavana Munisince 9.3.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शशंस पित्रे तत् सर्वं वयोरूपाभिलम्भनम् ।

विस्मित: परमप्रीतस्तनयां परिषस्वजे ॥ २३ ॥

śaśaṁsa pitre tat sarvaṁ

vayo-rūpābhilambhanam

vismitaḥ parama-prītas

tanayāṁ pariṣasvaje

Translation

Thus Sukanyā explained how her husband had received the beautiful body of a young man. When the King heard this he was very surprised, and in great pleasure he embraced his beloved daughter.

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.

A Clear Explanation Brings Joy

  1. 1

    Sukanyā explained how her husband had received the beautiful body of a young man.

  2. 2

    Hearing her explanation, the King was very surprised and greatly pleased.

  3. 3

    He embraced his beloved daughter with pleasure.

How it feels

Change → Acceptance. The instability of worldly identities is a recurring premise.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 9: Dynastic origins and domestic transformations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: The Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After this, Sukanyā could not distinguish her husband. She then surrendered unto the Aśvinī-kumāras, who were very satisfied with her chastity and who therefore introduced her again to her husband.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śaśaṁsashe described
  2. pitreunto her father
  3. tatthat
  4. sarvameverything
  5. vayaḥof the change of age
  6. rūpaand of beauty
  7. abhilambhanamhow there was achievement (by her husband)
  8. vismitaḥbeing surprised
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.3

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.3

    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

Am I willing to listen to an explanation that changes my understanding?

Practice

Give someone time to explain their situation fully before you respond.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Clear Explanation Brings JoyThis 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 9.3.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories