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
4.1.254.1.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.1.26-27

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

चेतस्तत्प्रवणं युञ्जन्नस्तावीत्संहताञ्जलि: ।

श्लक्ष्णया सूक्तया वाचा सर्वलोकगरीयस: ॥ २६ ॥

अत्रिरुवाच

विश्वोद्भवस्थितिलयेषु विभज्यमानै-

र्मायागुणैरनुयुगं विगृहीतदेहा: । ते ब्रह्मविष्णुगिरिशा: प्रणतोऽस्म्यहं व-स्तेभ्य: क एव भवतां म इहोपहूत: ॥ २७ ॥

cetas tat-pravaṇaṁ yuñjann

astāvīt saṁhatāñjaliḥ

ślakṣṇayā sūktayā vācā

sarva-loka-garīyasaḥ

atrir uvāca

viśvodbhava-sthiti-layeṣu vibhajyamānair

māyā-guṇair anuyugaṁ vigṛhīta-dehāḥ

te brahma-viṣṇu-giriśāḥ praṇato ’smy ahaṁ vas

tebhyaḥ ka eva bhavatāṁ ma ihopahūtaḥ

Translation

But since his heart was already attracted by the deities, somehow or other he gathered his senses, and with folded hands and sweet words he began to offer prayers to the predominating deities of the universe. The great sage Atri said: O Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva, you have divided yourself into three bodies by accepting the three modes of material nature, as you do in every millennium for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances unto all of you and beg to inquire whom of you three I have called by my prayer.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humbly Inquire About the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Atri Ṛṣi gathered his senses and offered prayers with folded hands and sweet words. He had called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe.

  2. 2

    The Lord must exist before creation and therefore be transcendental to the material modes. Atri was certain that the Lord could not be a creature created by māyā.

  3. 3

    Viṣṇu takes charge of goodness, Brahmā of passion, and Śiva of ignorance. Unsure about the Supreme Lord’s constitutional position, Atri respectfully asked whom he had called.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore the Supreme Lord, the creator of the universe, must be transcendental to the material modes of nature.
  • Therefore Atri Muni said, “That jagad-īśvara, the Lord of the universe, must be one of you, but since three of you have appeared, I cannot recognize whom I have called.
  • Therefore he prayed to all three, “Kindly let me know who is the transcendental Lord of the universe.”

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. cetaḥheart
  2. tat-pravaṇamfixing on them
  3. yuñjanmaking
  4. astāvītoffered prayers
  5. saṁhata-añjaliḥwith folded hands
  6. ślakṣṇayāecstatic
  7. sūktayāprayers
  8. vācāwords
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “material”, “māyā”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “sweet”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquire”

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

Can I acknowledge what I do not understand while inquiring respectfully about the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Write down one sincere question you have about the Supreme Lord’s position.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumbly Inquire About the Supreme LordThis 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 4.1.26-27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.