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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 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni
9.6.519.6.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.6.52

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.6.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एकस्तपस्व्यहमथाम्भसि मत्स्यसङ्गात्

पञ्चाशदासमुत पञ्चसहस्रसर्ग: ।

नान्तं व्रजाम्युभयकृत्यमनोरथानां

मायागुणैर्हृतमतिर्विषयेऽर्थभाव: ॥ ५२ ॥

ekas tapasvy aham athāmbhasi matsya-saṅgāt

pañcāśad āsam uta pañca-sahasra-sargaḥ

nāntaṁ vrajāmy ubhaya-kṛtya-manorathānāṁ

māyā-guṇair hṛta-matir viṣaye ’rtha-bhāvaḥ

Translation

In the beginning I was alone and engaged in performing the austerities of mystic yoga, but later, because of the association of fish engaged in sex, I desired to marry. Then I became the husband of fifty wives, and in each of them I begot one hundred sons, and thus my family increased to five thousand members. By the influence of the modes of material nature, I became fallen and thought that I would be happy in material life. Thus there is no end to my material desires for enjoyment, in this life and the next.

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.

Material Desires Have No End

  1. 1

    Saubhari Muni began alone, practicing the austerities of mystic yoga. Association with fish engaged in sex awakened his desire to marry.

  2. 2

    He became the husband of fifty wives and fathered one hundred sons with each. His family thus increased to five thousand members.

  3. 3

    Under the influence of the modes of material nature, he thought material life would make him happy. He then recognized no end to his desires for enjoyment in this life and the next.

How it feels

Attachment and struggle → Renunciation and responsibility. Multiple royal lives reveal the cost of choices.

Chapters 6–9 of Canto 9: Saubhari, Sagara and Bhagīratha's lineage. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 6: The Downfall of Saubhari Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this connection, Śukadeva Gosvāmī described the history of Saubhari Muni, who, because of sensual agitation caused by fish, fell from his yoga and wanted to marry all the daughters of Māndhātā for sexual pleasure. Later, Saubhari Muni became very regretful.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekaḥone only
  2. tapasvīgreat sage
  3. ahamI
  4. athathus
  5. ambhasiin the deep water
  6. matsya-saṅgātby associating with the fish
  7. pañcāśatfifty
  8. āsamgot wives
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 9.6

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.6

    In this verse: “fathered”

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 do I expect one more material achievement to bring lasting happiness?

Practice

Write down one desire that has led to further desires, and pause before pursuing it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Desires Have No EndThis 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.

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