Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 31

The Rise of Soma-vaṁśa: Budha’s Birth and Purūravā–Urvaśī; The Origin of Karma-kāṇḍa in Tretā-yuga

Devanagari script

ते विसृज्योरणौ तत्र व्यद्योतन्त स्म विद्युत: । आदाय मेषावायान्तं नग्नमैक्षत सा पतिम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

te visṛjyoraṇau tatra vyadyotanta sma vidyutaḥ ādāya meṣāv āyāntaṁ nagnam aikṣata sā patim

Translation

இரண்டு ஆட்டுக்குட்டிகளை விட்டுவிட்டு கந்தர்வர்கள் மின்னலைப் போல் ஒளிர்ந்து புரூரவனின் இல்லத்தை ஒளிரச் செய்தனர். உर्वசி ஆட்டுக்குட்டிகளுடன் திரும்பிய கணவனை நிர்வாணமாகக் கண்டு அவனை விட்டு விலகினாள்.

Synonyms

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• विसृज्य: having released
• विसृज्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+सृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया; ‘having released/let go’

• उरणौ: in the sheep (ram)
• उरणौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• व्यद्योतन्त: they shone forth
• व्यद्योतन्त: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+द्योत् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• स्म: indeed/then (past particle)
• स्म: Kriyānuṣaṅga (क्रियानुषङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्म (अव्यय)
• Form: स्म-कारक-अव्यय; भूतार्थे/वृत्त्यर्थे (particle indicating past/narrative)

• विद्युतः: lightnings
• विद्युतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्युत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), बहुवचनम्

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having taken’

• मेषौ: two rams
• मेषौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचनम्

• आयान्तम्: (him) coming
• आयान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+या (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘coming’

• नग्नम्: naked
• नग्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नग्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• ऐक्षत: she saw
• ऐक्षत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• पतिम्: husband
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्

Characters & Entities

• Purūravā
• Urvaśī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Pururava and Urvashi’s separation?

This verse shows the pivotal moment: by a sudden flash of lightning, Urvaśī sees Purūravā naked—triggering the condition that leads to their separation and highlighting the fragility of relationships based on desire and contract-like rules.

Why did Urvashi see Pururava naked in this verse?

In the narrative, Purūravā had gone out at night to rescue the rams; the Gandharvas arranged a lightning flash so Urvaśī would see him naked, fulfilling the condition that would end their union.

What is the practical lesson of Bhagavatam 9.14.31 for modern life?

Attachments rooted in passion and conditions can collapse suddenly; the verse encourages cultivating steadier, value-based relationships and turning the heart toward lasting spiritual shelter rather than temporary sense-driven bonds.