Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 9: “Liberation”
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter Fourteen
King Pururava Enchanted by Urvasi
SB9.14Summary
The summary of this Fourteenth Chapter is given as follows. This chapter describes Soma and how he kidnapped the wife of Brhaspati and begot in her womb a son named Budha. Budha begot Pururava, who begot six sons, headed by Ayu, in the womb of Urvasi.
Lord Brahma was born from the lotus that sprouted from the navel of Garbhodakasayi Visnu. Brahma had a son named Atri, and Atri’s son was Soma, the king of all drugs and stars. Soma became the conqueror of the entire universe, and, being inflated with pride, he kidnapped Tara, who was the wife of Brhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods. A great fight ensued between the demigods and the asuras, but Brahma rescued Brhaspati’s wife from the clutches of Soma and returned her to her husband, thus stopping the fighting. In the womb of Tara, Soma begot a son named Budha, who later begot in the womb of Ila a son named Aila, or Pururava. Urvasi was captivated by Pururava’s beauty, and therefore she lived with him for some time, but when she left his company he became almost like a madman. While traveling all over the world, he met Urvasi again at Kuruksetra, but she agreed to join with him for only one night in a year.
One year later, Pururava saw Urvasi at Kuruksetra and was glad to be with her for one night, but when he thought of her leaving him again, he was overwhelmed by grief. Urvasi then advised Pururava to worship the Gandharvas. Being satisfied with Pururava, the Gandharvas gave him a woman known as Agnisthali. Pururava mistook Agnisthali for Urvasi, but while he was wandering in the forest his misunderstanding was cleared, and he immediately gave up her company. After returning home and meditating upon Urvasi all night, he wanted to perform a Vedic ritualistic ceremony to satisfy his desire. Thereafter he went to the same place where he had left Agnisthali, and there he saw that from the womb of a sami tree had come an asvattha tree. Pururava made two sticks from this tree and thus produced a fire. By such a fire one can satisfy all lusty desires. The fire was considered the son of Pururava. In Satya-yuga there was only one social division, called hamsa; there were no divisions of varna like brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra. The Veda was the omkara. The various demigods were not worshiped, for only the Supreme Personality of Godhead was the worshipable Deity. SB9.14.1 TEXT 1 sri-suka uvaca athatah sruyatam rajan vamsah somasya pavanah yasminn ailadayo bhupah kirtyante punya-kirtayah SYNONYMS sri-sukah uvaca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; atha—now (after hearing the history of the dynasty of the sun); atah—therefore; sruyatam—just hear from me; rajan—O King (Maharaja Pariksit); vamsah—the dynasty; somasya—of the moon-god; pavanah—which is purifying to hear about; yasmin—in which (dynasty); aila-adayah—headed by Aila (Pururava); bhupah—kings; kirtyante—are described; punya-kirtayah—persons of whom it is glorious to hear. TRANSLATION Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said to Maharaja Pariksit: O King, thus far you have heard the description of the dynasty of the sun-god. Now hear the most glorious and purifying description of the dynasty of the moon-god. This description mentions kings like Aila [Pururava] of whom it is glorious to hear. SB9.14.2 TEXT 2 sahasra-sirasah pumso nabhi-hrada-saroruhat jatasyasit suto dhatur atrih pitr-samo gunaih SYNONYMS sahasra-sirasah—who has thousands of heads; pumsah—of Lord Visnu (Garbhodakasayi Visnu); nabhi-hrada-saroruhat—from the lotus produced from the lake of the navel; jatasya—who appeared; asit—there was; sutah—a son; dhatuh—of Lord Brahma; atrih—by the name Atri; pitr-samah—like his father; gunaih—qualified. TRANSLATION Lord Visnu [Garbhodakasayi Visnu] is also known as Sahasra-sirsa Purusa. From the lake of His navel sprang a lotus, on which Lord Brahma was generated. Atri, the son of Lord Brahma, was as qualified as his father. SB9.14.3 TEXT 3 tasya drgbhyo ’bhavat putrah somo ’mrtamayah kila viprausadhy-udu-gananam brahmana kalpitah patih SYNONYMS tasya—of him, Atri, the son of Brahma; drgbhyah—from the tears of jubilation from the eyes; abhavat—was born; putrah—a son; somah—the moon-god; amrta-mayah—full of soothing rays; kila—indeed; vipra—of the brahmanas; osadhi—of the drugs; udu-gananam—and of the luminaries; brahmana—by Lord Brahma; kalpitah—was appointed or designated; patih—the supreme director. TRANSLATION From Atri’s tears of jubilation was born a son named Soma, the moon, who was full of soothing rays. Lord Brahma appointed him the director of the brahmanas, drugs and luminaries. PURPORT According to the Vedic description, Soma, the moon-god, was born from the mind of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (candrama manaso jatah). But here we find that Soma was born from the tears in the eyes of Atri. This appears contradictory to the Vedic information, but actually it is not, for this birth of the moon is understood to have taken place in another millennium. When tears appear in the eyes because of jubilation, the tears are soothing. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says, drgbhya anandasrubhya ata evamrtamayah: “Here the word drgbhyah means ‘from tears of jubilation.’ Therefore the moon-god is called amrtamayah, ‘full of soothing rays.’ ” In the Fourth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.1.15) we find this verse: atreh patny anasuya trin This verse describes that Anasuya, the wife of Atri Rsi, bore three sons—Soma, Durvasa and Dattatreya. It is said that at the time of conception Anasuya was impregnated by the tears of Atri. SB9.14.4 TEXT 4 so ’yajad rajasuyena vijitya bhuvana-trayam patnim brhaspater darpat taram namaharad balat SYNONYMS sah—he, Soma; ayajat—performed; rajasuyena—the sacrifice known as Rajasuya; vijitya—after conquering; bhuvana-trayam—the three worlds (Svarga, Martya and Patala); patnim—the wife; brhaspateh—of Brhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods; darpat—out of pride; taram—Tara; nama—by name; aharat—took away; balat—by force. TRANSLATION After conquering the three worlds [the upper, middle and lower planetary systems], Soma, the moon-god, performed a great sacrifice known as the Rajasuya-yajna. Because he was very much puffed up, he forcibly kidnapped Brhaspati’s wife, whose name was Tara. SB9.14.5 TEXT 5 yada sa deva-guruna yacito ’bhiksnaso madat natyajat tat-krte jajne sura-danava-vigrahah SYNONYMS yada—when; sah—he (Soma, the moon-god); deva-guruna—by the spiritual master of the demigods, Brhaspati; yacitah—was begged; abhiksnasah—again and again; madat—because of false pride; na—not; atyajat—did deliver; tat-krte—because of this; jajne—there was; sura-danava—between the demigods and the demons; vigrahah—a fight. TRANSLATION Although requested again and again by Brhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, Soma did not return Tara. This was due to his false pride. Consequently, a fight ensued between the demigods and the demons. SB9.14.6 TEXT 6 sukro brhaspater dvesad agrahit sasurodupam haro guru-sutam snehat sarva-bhuta-ganavrtah SYNONYMS sukrah—the demigod named Sukra; brhaspateh—unto Brhaspati; dvesat—because of enmity; agrahit—took; sa-asura—with the demons; udupam—the side of the moon-god; harah—Lord Siva; guru-sutam—the side of his spiritual master’s son; snehat—because of affection; sarva-bhuta-gana-avrtah—accompanied by all kinds of ghosts and hobgoblins. TRANSLATION Because of enmity between Brhaspati and Sukra, Sukra took the side of the moon-god and was joined by the demons. But Lord Siva, because of affection for the son of his spiritual master, joined the side of Brhaspati and was accompanied by all the ghosts and hobgoblins. PURPORT The moon-god is one of the demigods, but to fight against the other demigods he took the assistance of the demons. Sukra, being an enemy of Brhaspati, also joined the moon-god to retaliate in wrath against Brhaspati. To counteract this situation, Lord Siva, who was affectionate toward Brhaspati, joined Brhaspati. The father of Brhaspati was Angira, from whom Lord Siva had received knowledge. Therefore Lord Siva had some affection for Brhaspati and joined his side in this fight. Sridhara Svami remarks, angirasah sakasat prapta-vidyo hara iti prasiddhah: “Lord Siva is well known to have received knowledge from Angira.” SB9.14.7 TEXT 7 sarva-deva-ganopeto mahendro gurum anvayat surasura-vinaso ’bhut samaras tarakamayah SYNONYMS sarva-deva-gana—by all the different demigods; upetah—joined; mahendrah—Mahendra, the King of heaven, Indra; gurum—his spiritual master; anvayat—followed; sura—of the demigods; asura—and of the demons; vinasah—causing destruction; abhut—there was; samarah—a fight; taraka-mayah—simply because of Tara, a woman, the wife of Brhaspati. TRANSLATION King Indra, accompanied by all kinds of demigods, joined the side of Brhaspati. Thus there was a great fight, destroying both demons and demigods, only for the sake of Tara, Brhaspati’s wife. SB9.14.8 TEXT 8 nivedito ’thangirasa somam nirbhartsya visva-krt taram sva-bhartre prayacchad antarvatnim avait patih SYNONYMS niveditah—being fully informed; atha—thus; angirasa—by Angira Muni; somam—the moon-god; nirbhartsya—chastising severely; visva-krt—Lord Brahma; taram—Tara, the wife of Brhaspati; sva-bhartre—unto her husband; prayacchat—delivered; antarvatnim—pregnant; avait—could understand; patih—the husband (Brhaspati). TRANSLATION When Lord Brahma was fully informed by Angira about the entire incident, he severely chastised the moon-god, Soma. Thus Lord Brahma delivered Tara to her husband, who could then understand that she was pregnant. SB9.14.9 TEXT 9 tyaja tyajasu dusprajne mat-ksetrad ahitam paraih naham tvam bhasmasat kuryam striyam santanike ’sati SYNONYMS tyaja—deliver; tyaja—deliver; asu—immediately; dusprajne—you foolish woman; mat-ksetrat—from the womb meant for me to impregnate; ahitam—begotten; paraih—by others; na—not; aham—I; tvam—you; bhasmasat—burnt to ashes; kuryam—shall make; striyam—because you are a woman; santanike—wanting a child; asati—although you are unchaste. TRANSLATION Brhaspati said: You foolish woman, your womb, which was meant for me to impregnate, has been impregnated by someone other than me. Immediately deliver your child! Immediately deliver it! Be assured that after the child is delivered, I shall not burn you to ashes. I know that although you are unchaste, you wanted a son. Therefore I shall not punish you. PURPORT Tara was married to Brhaspati, and therefore as a chaste woman she should have been impregnated by him. But instead she preferred to be impregnated by Soma, the moon-god, and therefore she was unchaste. Although Brhaspati accepted Tara from Brahma, when he saw that she was pregnant he wanted her to deliver a son immediately. Tara certainly very much feared her husband, and she thought she might be punished after giving birth. Thus Brhaspati assured her that he would not punish her, for although she was unchaste and had become pregnant illicitly, she wanted a son. SB9.14.10 TEXT 10 tatyaja vridita tara kumaram kanaka-prabham sprham angirasas cakre kumare soma eva ca SYNONYMS tatyaja—gave delivery; vridita—being very much ashamed; tara—Tara, the wife of Brhaspati; kumaram—to a child; kanaka-prabham—having a bodily effulgence like gold; sprham—aspiration; angirasah—Brhaspati; cakre—made; kumare—unto the child; somah—the moon-god; eva—indeed; ca—also. TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: By Brhaspati’s order, Tara, who was very much ashamed, immediately gave birth to the child, who was very beautiful, with a golden bodily hue. Both Brhaspati and the moon-god, Soma, desired the beautiful child. SB9.14.11 TEXT 11 mamayam na tavety uccais tasmin vivadamanayoh papracchur rsayo deva naivoce vridita tu sa SYNONYMS mama—mine; ayam—this (child); na—not; tava—yours; iti—thus; uccaih—very loudly; tasmin—for the child; vivadamanayoh—when the two parties were fighting; papracchuh—inquired (from Tara); rsayah—all the saintly persons; devah—all the demigods; na—not; eva—indeed; uce—said anything; vridita—being ashamed; tu—indeed; sa—Tara. TRANSLATION Fighting again broke out between Brhaspati and the moon-god, both of whom claimed, “This is my child, not yours!” All the saints and demigods present asked Tara whose child the newborn baby actually was, but because she was ashamed she could not immediately answer. SB9.14.12 TEXT 12 kumaro mataram praha kupito ’lika-lajjaya kim na vacasy asad-vrtte atmavadyam vadasu me SYNONYMS kumarah—the child; mataram—unto his mother; praha—said; kupitah—being very angry; alika—unnecessary; lajjaya—with shame; kim—why; na—not; vacasi—you say; asat-vrtte—O unchaste woman; atma-avadyam—the fault you have committed; vada—say; asu—immediately; me—unto me. TRANSLATION The child then became very angry and demanded that his mother immediately tell the truth. “You unchaste woman,” he said, “what is the use of your unnecessary shame? Why do you not admit your fault? Immediately tell me about your faulty behavior.” SB9.14.13 TEXT 13 brahma tam raha ahuya samapraksic ca santvayan somasyety aha sanakaih somas tam tavad agrahit SYNONYMS brahma—Lord Brahma; tam—unto her, Tara; rahah—in a secluded place; ahuya—putting her; samapraksit—inquired in detail; ca—and; santvayan—pacifying; somasya—this son belongs to Soma, the moon-god; iti—thus; aha—she replied; sanakaih—very slowly; somah—Soma; tam—the child; tavat—immediately; agrahit—took charge of. TRANSLATION Lord Brahma then brought Tara to a secluded place, and after pacifying her he asked to whom the child actually belonged. She replied very slowly, “This is the son of Soma, the moon-god.” Then the moon-god immediately took charge of the child. SB9.14.14 TEXT 14 tasyatma-yonir akrta budha ity abhidham nrpa buddhya gambhiraya yena putrenapoduran mudam SYNONYMS tasya—of the child; atma-yonih—Lord Brahma; akrta—made; budhah—Budha; iti—thus; abhidham—the name; nrpa—O King Pariksit; buddhya—by intelligence; gambhiraya—very deeply situated; yena—by whom; putrena—by such a son; apa—he got; udurat—the moon-god; mudam—jubilation. TRANSLATION O Maharaja Pariksit, when Lord Brahma saw that the child was deeply intelligent, he gave the child the name Budha. The moon-god, the ruler of the stars, enjoyed great jubilation because of this son. SB9.14.15-16 TEXTS 15–16 tatah pururava jajne ilayam ya udahrtah tasya rupa-gunaudarya- sila-dravina-vikraman srutvorvasindra-bhavane giyamanan surarsina tad-antikam upeyaya devi smara-sarardita SYNONYMS tatah—from him (Budha); pururavah—the son named Pururava; jajne—was born; ilayam—in the womb of Ila; yah—one who; udahrtah—has already been described (in the beginning of the Ninth Canto); tasya—his (Pururava’s); rupa—beauty; guna—qualities; audarya—magnanimity; sila—behavior; dravina—wealth; vikraman—power; srutva—by hearing; urvasi—the celestial woman named Urvasi; indra-bhavane—in the court of King Indra; giyamanan—when they were being described; sura-rsina—by Narada; tat-antikam—near him; upeyaya—approached; devi—Urvasi; smara-sara—by the arrows of Cupid; ardita—being stricken. TRANSLATION Thereafter, from Budha, through the womb of Ila, a son was born named Pururava, who was described in the beginning of the Ninth Canto. When his beauty, personal qualities, magnanimity, behavior, wealth and power were described by Narada in the court of Lord Indra, the celestial woman Urvasi was attracted to him. Pierced by the arrow of Cupid, she thus approached him. SB9.14.17-18 TEXTS 17–18 mitra-varunayoh sapad apanna nara-lokatam nisamya purusa-srestham kandarpam iva rupinam dhrtim vistabhya lalana upatasthe tad-antike sa tam vilokya nrpatir harsenotphulla-locanah uvaca slaksnaya vaca devim hrsta-tanuruhah SYNONYMS mitra-varunayoh—of Mitra and Varuna; sapat—by the curse; apanna—having obtained; nara-lokatam—the habits of a human being; nisamya—thus seeing; purusa-srestham—the best of males; kandarpam iva—like Cupid; rupinam—having beauty; dhrtim—patience, forbearance; vistabhya—accepting; lalana—that woman; upatasthe—approached; tat-antike—near to him; sah—he, Pururava; tam—her; vilokya—by seeing; nrpatih—the King; harsena—with great jubilation; utphulla-locanah—whose eyes became very bright; uvaca—said; slaksnaya—very mild; vaca—by words; devim—unto the demigoddess; hrsta-tanuruhah—the hairs on whose body were standing in jubilation. TRANSLATION Having been cursed by Mitra and Varuna, the celestial woman Urvasi had acquired the habits of a human being. Therefore, upon seeing Pururava, the best of males, whose beauty resembled that of Cupid, she controlled herself and then approached him. When King Pururava saw Urvasi, his eyes became jubilant in the ecstasy of joy, and the hairs on his body stood on end. With mild, pleasing words, he spoke to her as follows. SB9.14.19 TEXT 19 sri-rajovaca svagatam te vararohe asyatam karavama kim samramasva maya sakam ratir nau sasvatih samah SYNONYMS sri-raja uvaca—the King (Pururava) said; svagatam—welcome; te—unto you; vararohe—O best of beautiful women; asyatam—kindly take your seat; karavama kim—what can I do for you; samramasva—just become my companion; maya sakam—with me; ratih—a sexual relationship; nau—between us; sasvatih samah—for many years. TRANSLATION King Pururava said: O most beautiful woman, you are welcome. Please sit here and tell me what I can do for you. You may enjoy with me as long as you desire. Let us pass our life happily in a sexual relationship. SB9.14.20 TEXT 20 urvasy uvaca kasyas tvayi na sajjeta mano drstis ca sundara yad-angantaram asadya cyavate ha riramsaya SYNONYMS urvasi uvaca—Urvasi replied; kasyah—of which woman; tvayi—unto you; na—not; sajjeta—would become attracted; manah—the mind; drstih ca—and sight; sundara—O most beautiful man; yat-angantaram—whose chest; asadya—enjoying; cyavate—gives up; ha—indeed; riramsaya—for sexual enjoyment. TRANSLATION Urvasi replied: O most handsome man, who is the woman whose mind and sight would not be attracted by you? If a woman takes shelter of your chest, she cannot refuse to enjoy with you in a sexual relationship. PURPORT When a beautiful man and a beautiful woman unite together and embrace one another, how within these three worlds can they check their sexual relationship? Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.45) says, yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham. SB9.14.21 TEXT 21 etav uranakau rajan nyasau raksasva manada samramsye bhavata sakam slaghyah strinam varah smrtah SYNONYMS etau—to these two; uranakau—lambs; rajan—O King Pururava; nyasau—who have fallen down; raksasva—please give protection; mana-da—O one who gives all honor to a guest or visitor; samramsye—I shall enjoy sexual union; bhavata sakam—in your company; slaghyah—superior; strinam—of a woman; varah—husband; smrtah—it is said. TRANSLATION My dear King Pururava, please give protection to these two lambs, who have fallen down with me. Although I belong to the heavenly planets and you belong to earth, I shall certainly enjoy sexual union with you. I have no objection to accepting you as my husband, for you are superior in every respect. PURPORT As stated in the Brahma-samhita (5.40), yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti-kotisv asesa-vasudhadi-vibhuti-bhinnam. There are various planets and various atmospheres within this universe. The atmosphere of the heavenly planet from which Urvasi descended after being cursed by Mitra and Varuna was different from the atmosphere of this earth. Indeed, the inhabitants of the heavenly planets are certainly far superior to the inhabitants of earth. Nonetheless, Urvasi agreed to remain the consort of Pururava, although she belonged to a superior community. A woman who finds a man with superior qualities may accept such a man as her husband. Similarly, if a man finds a woman who is from an inferior family but who has good qualities, he can accept such a brilliant wife, as advised by Sri Canakya Pandita (stri-ratnam duskulad api). The combination of male and female is worthwhile if the qualities of both are on an equal level. SB9.14.22 TEXT 22 ghrtam me vira bhaksyam syan nekse tvanyatra maithunat vivasasam tat tatheti pratipede mahamanah SYNONYMS ghrtam—clarified butter or nectar; me—my; vira—O hero; bhaksyam—eatable; syat—shall be; na—not; ikse—I shall see; tva—you; anyatra—any other time; maithunat—except at the time of sexual intercourse; vivasasam—without any dress (naked); tat—that; tatha iti—shall be like that; pratipede—promised; mahamanah—King Pururava. TRANSLATION Urvasi said: “My dear hero, only preparations made in ghee [clarified butter] will be my eatables, and I shall not want to see you naked at any time, except at the time of sexual intercourse.” The great-minded King Pururava accepted these proposals. SB9.14.23 TEXT 23 aho rupam aho bhavo nara-loka-vimohanam ko na seveta manujo devim tvam svayam agatam SYNONYMS aho—wonderful; rupam—beauty; aho—wonderful; bhavah—postures; nara-loka—in human society or on the planet earth; vimohanam—so attractive; kah—who; na—not; seveta—can accept; manujah—among human beings; devim—a demigoddess; tvam—like you; svayam agatam—who has personally arrived. TRANSLATION Pururava replied: O beautiful one, your beauty is wonderful and your gestures are also wonderful. Indeed, you are attractive to all human society. Therefore, since you have come of your own accord from the heavenly planets, who on earth would not agree to serve a demigoddess such as you. PURPORT It appears from the words of Urvasi that the standard of living, eating, behavior and speech are all different on the heavenly planets from the standards on this planet earth. The inhabitants of the heavenly planets do not eat such abominable things as meat and eggs; everything they eat is prepared in clarified butter. Nor do they like to see either men or women naked, except at the time of sexual intercourse. To live naked or almost naked is uncivilized, but on this planet earth it has now become fashionable to dress half naked, and sometimes those like hippies live completely naked. Indeed, there are many clubs and societies for this purpose. Such conduct is not allowed, however, on the heavenly planets. The inhabitants of the heavenly planets, aside from being very beautiful, both in complexion and bodily features, are well behaved and long-living, and they eat first-class food in goodness. These are some of the distinctions between the inhabitants of the heavenly planets and the inhabitants of earth. SB9.14.24 TEXT 24 taya sa purusa-srestho ramayantya yatharhatah reme sura-viharesu kamam caitrarathadisu SYNONYMS taya—with her; sah—he; purusa-sresthah—the best of human beings (Pururava); ramayantya—enjoying; yatha-arhatah—as far as possible; reme—enjoyed; sura-viharesu—in places resembling the heavenly parks; kamam—according to his desire; caitraratha-adisu—in the best gardens, like Caitraratha. TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The best of human beings, Pururava, began freely enjoying the company of Urvasi, who engaged in sexual activities with him in many celestial places, such as Caitraratha and Nandana-kanana, where the demigods enjoy. SB9.14.25 TEXT 25 ramamanas taya devya padma-kinjalka-gandhaya tan-mukhamoda-musito mumude ’har-ganan bahun SYNONYMS ramamanah—enjoying sex; taya—with her; devya—the heavenly goddess; padma—of a lotus; kinjalka—like the saffron; gandhaya—the fragrance of whom; tat-mukha—her beautiful face; amoda—by the fragrance; musitah—being enlivened more and more; mumude—enjoyed life; ahah-ganan—days after days; bahun—many. TRANSLATION Urvasi’s body was as fragrant as the saffron of a lotus. Being enlivened by the fragrance of her face and body, Pururava enjoyed her company for many days with great jubilation.
jajne suyasasah sutan
dattam durvasasam somam
atmesa-brahma-sambhavan