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
4.1.26-274.1.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.28

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

एको मयेह भगवान्विविधप्रधानै-

श्चित्तीकृत: प्रजननाय कथं नु यूयम् ।

अत्रागतास्तनुभृतां मनसोऽपि दूराद्

ब्रूत प्रसीदत महानिह विस्मयो मे ॥ २८ ॥

eko mayeha bhagavān vividha-pradhānaiś

cittī-kṛtaḥ prajananāya kathaṁ nu yūyam

atrāgatās tanu-bhṛtāṁ manaso ’pi dūrād

brūta prasīdata mahān iha vismayo me

Translation

I called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, desiring a son like Him, and I thought of Him only. But although He is far beyond the mental speculation of man, all three of you have come here. Kindly let me know how you have come, for I am greatly bewildered about this.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Faith Can Accompany Honest Questions

  1. 1

    Atri Muni confidently knew that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Lord of the universe. He prayed to that one Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    He desired a son like the Lord and had fixed his thought on Him alone. Yet the Lord is far beyond human mental speculation.

  3. 3

    The appearance of all three deities surprised and bewildered him. He asked them kindly to explain why they had all come.

Key points from the purport
  • Atri Muni was confidently aware that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Lord of the universe, so he prayed for the one Supreme Lord.
  • He was surprised, therefore, that three of them appeared.

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. ekaḥone
  2. mayāby me
  3. ihahere
  4. bhagavāngreat personality
  5. vividhavarious
  6. pradhānaiḥby paraphernalia
  7. cittī-kṛtaḥfixed in mind
  8. prajananāyafor begetting a child
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 seek understanding without pretending that I have no doubts?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer honestly expressing one uncertainty and asking for understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaith Can Accompany Honest QuestionsThis 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 4.1.28? 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