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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 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 4 · Chapter 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu
4.1.134.1.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.14

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.1.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पूर्णिमासूत विरजं विश्वगं च परन्तप ।

देवकुल्यां हरे: पादशौचाद्याभूत्सरिद्दिव: ॥ १४ ॥

pūrṇimāsūta virajaṁ

viśvagaṁ ca parantapa

devakulyāṁ hareḥ pāda-

śaucād yābhūt sarid divaḥ

Translation

My dear Vidura, of the two sons, Kaśyapa and Pūrṇimā, Pūrṇimā begot three children, namely Viraja, Viśvaga and Devakulyā. Of these three, Devakulyā was the water which washed the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead and which later on transformed into the Ganges of the heavenly planets.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Ganges Is Sanctified by Hari

  1. 1

    Pūrṇimā had three children: Viraja, Viśvaga and Devakulyā.

  2. 2

    Devakulyā is the presiding deity of the river Ganges, which descends from the heavenly planets to this planet.

  3. 3

    The Ganges is accepted as sanctified because its water touched the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari.

Key points from the purport
  • Of the two sons Kaśyapa and Pūrṇimā, herein Pūrṇimā’s descendants are described.
  • An elaborate description of these descendants will be given in the Sixth Canto.
  • It is also understood herein that Devakulyā is the presiding deity of the river Ganges, which comes down from the heavenly planets to this planet and is accepted to be sanctified because it touched the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu

Maitreya describes the descendants of Manu’s daughters and the blessings received by Atri Muni.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pūrṇimāPūrṇimā
  2. asūtabegot
  3. virajama son named Viraja
  4. viśvagam caand named Viśvaga
  5. param-tapaO annihilator of enemies
  6. devakulyāma daughter named Devakulyā
  7. hareḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. pāda-śaucātby the water which washed His lotus feet
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “children”

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

What does the Ganges’ connection with Hari’s lotus feet help you appreciate?

Practice

Pause for a moment to remember why the Ganges is regarded as sanctified.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Ganges Is Sanctified by HariThis 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 4.1.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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