202 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 9, Ch. 6

param—uncommon; tapah—austerity; nirvrtim—pleasure; mina-
rajasya—of a big fish; drstvéd —seeing; maithuna-dharminah—engaged
in sexual affairs; jata-sprhah—became sexually inclined; nrpam—unto
the King (Mandhata); viprah—the braéhmana (Saubhari Rsi); kanyam
ekam—one daughter; aydcata—begged for; sah—he, the King; api—
also; Gha—said; grhyatam—you can take; brahman—O brdhmana;
kimam—as she desires; kanyad—daughter; svayamvare—a personal
selection.

TRANSLATION

Saubhari Rsi was engaged in austerity, deep in the water of the
River Yamuna, when he saw a pair of fish engaged in sexual affairs.
Thus he perceived the pleasure of sex life, and induced by this
desire he went to King Mandhata and begged for one of the King’s
daughters. In response to this request, the King said, “O
brahmana, any of my daughters may accept any husband according
to her personal selection.”

PURPORT

This is the beginning of the story of Saubhari Rsi. According to
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Mandhata was the king of Mathura, and
Saubhari Rsi was engaged in austerity while submerged deep within the
River Yamuna. When the rsi felt sexual desire, he emerged from the
water and went to King Mandhata to ask that one of the King’s daughters
become his wife.

TEXTS 41-42
a fafeentd aint aciserdaa: |
aad Uae FTE AARTEA veil

aTaky ecard = rarnadiftaay |
fe gataaecinfata arate: ma eR

sa vicintydpriyam strindm
jaratho *ham asan-matah
vali-palita ejat-ka
ity aham pratyudahrtah
