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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
4.1.154.1.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

विदुर उवाच

अत्रेर्गृहे सुरश्रेष्ठा: स्थित्युत्पत्त्यन्तहेतव: ।

किञ्चिच्चिकीर्षवो जाता एतदाख्याहि मे गुरो ॥ १६ ॥

vidura uvāca

atrer gṛhe sura-śreṣṭhāḥ

sthity-utpatty-anta-hetavaḥ

kiñcic cikīrṣavo jātā

etad ākhyāhi me guro

Translation

After hearing this, Vidura inquired from Maitreya: My dear master, how is it that the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, who are the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the whole creation, became the offspring of the wife of Atri Muni?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask About the Purpose of Divine Appearances

  1. 1

    Vidura asked Maitreya how Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva became offspring of Atri Muni’s wife.

  2. 2

    These three are responsible for the creation, maintenance and destruction of the whole creation.

  3. 3

    Vidura’s inquiry was fitting because he understood that their appearance through Anasūyā must have had a great purpose.

Key points from the purport
  • The inquisitiveness of Vidura was quite fitting, for he understood that when the Supersoul, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva all appeared through the person of Anasūyā, the wife of Atri Muni, there must have been some great purpose.
  • Otherwise why should they have appeared in such a way?

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. viduraḥ uvācaŚrī Vidura said
  2. atreḥ gṛhein the house of Atri
  3. sura-śreṣṭhāḥchief demigods
  4. sthitimaintenance
  5. utpatticreation
  6. antadestruction
  7. hetavaḥcauses
  8. kiñcitsomething
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “inquired”, “inquiry”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 can you learn from Vidura’s respectful desire to understand the purpose behind these appearances?

Practice

Write down one sincere question you have about this verse before continuing your reading.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk About the Purpose of Divine AppearancesThis 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 4.1.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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