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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
4.1.234.1.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.24

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

प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमावुपतस्थेऽर्हणाञ्जलि: ।

वृषहंससुपर्णस्थान् स्वै: स्वैश्चिह्नैश्च चिह्नितान् ॥ २४ ॥

praṇamya daṇḍavad bhūmāv

upatasthe ’rhaṇāñjaliḥ

vṛṣa-haṁsa-suparṇa-sthān

svaiḥ svaiś cihnaiś ca cihnitān

Translation

Thereafter he began to offer prayers to the three deities, who were seated on different carriers — a bull, a swan and Garuḍa — and who held in their hands a drum, kuśa grass and a discus. The sage offered them his respects by falling down like a stick.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Prayers and Humble Respects

  1. 1

    Daṇḍavat means falling on the ground like a long rod before a superior. Atri Ṛṣi offered respect to the three deities in this way.

  2. 2

    Lord Viṣṇu sat on Garuḍa and carried a disc. Brahmā sat on a swan and held kuśa grass.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva sat on a bull and held a small drum called a ḍamaru. Recognizing the deities by their carriers and symbols, Atri Ṛṣi offered prayers and respects.

Key points from the purport
  • Atri Ṛṣi offered his respect to the three deities in that way.
  • In that connection it is stated here that Lord Viṣṇu was sitting on Garuḍa, a big aquiline bird, and was carrying in His hand a disc, Brahmā was sitting on a swan and had in his hand kuśa grass, and Lord Śiva was sitting on a bull and carrying in his hand a small drum called a ḍamaru.
  • Atri Ṛṣi recognized them by their symbolic representations and different carriers, and thus he offered them prayers and respects.

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. praṇamyaoffering obeisances
  2. daṇḍa-vatlike a rod
  3. bhūmauground
  4. upatasthefell down
  5. arhaṇaall paraphernalia for worship
  6. añjaliḥfolded hands
  7. vṛṣabull
  8. haṁsaswan
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 my prayers express genuine respect rather than mere habit?

Practice

Offer a short prayer to Lord Viṣṇu, consciously expressing your respect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Prayers and Humble RespectsThis 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 4.1.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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