1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.1.204.1.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.1.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तप्यमानं त्रिभुवनं प्राणायामैधसाग्निना ।

निर्गतेन मुनेर्मूर्ध्न: समीक्ष्य प्रभवस्त्रय: ॥ २१ ॥

tapyamānaṁ tri-bhuvanaṁ

prāṇāyāmaidhasāgninā

nirgatena muner mūrdhnaḥ

samīkṣya prabhavas trayaḥ

Translation

While Atri Muni was engaged in these severe austerities, a blazing fire came out of his head by virtue of his breathing exercise, and that fire was seen by the three principal deities of the three worlds.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Concentrating on the Lord of the Universe

  1. 1

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the fire of prāṇāyāma is mental satisfaction. Viṣṇu, the Supersoul, perceived this fire.

  2. 2

    Through his breathing exercise, Atri Muni concentrated on the Supersoul, the Lord of the universe.

  3. 3

    Vāsudeva is the Lord of the universe, and Brahmā and Śiva work under His direction. By His direction, they perceived Atri Muni’s severe penance.

Key points from the purport
  • That fire was perceived by the Supersoul, Viṣṇu, and thereby Lord Brahmā and Śiva also perceived it.
  • Atri Muni, by his breathing exercise, concentrated on the Supersoul, or the Lord of the universe.
  • Therefore, on the direction of Vāsudeva, both Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva perceived the severe penance adopted by Atri Muni, and thus they were pleased to come down, as stated in the next verse.

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. tapyamānamwhile practicing austerities
  2. tri-bhuvanamthe three worlds
  3. prāṇāyāmapractice by breathing exercise
  4. edhasāfuel
  5. agnināby the fire
  6. nirgatenaissuing out
  7. muneḥof the great sage
  8. mūrdhnaḥthe top of the head
  9. samīkṣyalooking over
  10. prabhavaḥ trayaḥthe three great gods (Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara)
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

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

How can I make the Lord, rather than the exercise itself, the focus of my attention?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering Vāsudeva as the Lord of the universe.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConcentrating on the Lord of the UniverseThis 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 4.1.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories