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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 3: The Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana Muni
9.3.39.3.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.3.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.3.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ते दैवचोदिता बाला ज्योतिषी कण्टकेन वै ।

अविध्यन्मुग्धभावेन सुस्रावासृक् ततो बहि: ॥ ४ ॥

te daiva-coditā bālā

jyotiṣī kaṇṭakena vai

avidhyan mugdha-bhāvena

susrāvāsṛk tato bahiḥ

Translation

As if induced by providence, the girl ignorantly pierced those two glowworms with a thorn, and when they were pierced, blood began to ooze out of them.

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.

Ignorant Actions Can Cause Harm

  1. 1

    As if induced by providence, the girl pierced the two glowworms with a thorn.

  2. 2

    She acted ignorantly, without understanding what she was piercing.

  3. 3

    When they were pierced, blood began to ooze out.

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:

As soon as she did this, blood began to ooze from that hole. Consequently, King Śaryāti and his companions suffered from constipation and inability to pass urine.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethose two
  2. daiva-coditāas if impelled by providence
  3. bālāthat young daughter
  4. jyotiṣītwo glowworms within the hole of the earthworm
  5. kaṇṭakenawith a thorn
  6. vaiindeed
  7. avidhyatpierced
  8. mugdha-bhāvenaas if without knowledge
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.3

    In this verse: “understanding”

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

Where might acting without understanding cause harm?

Practice

Pause before touching or disturbing something unfamiliar today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIgnorant Actions Can Cause HarmThis 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 9.3.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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