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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
4.1.284.1.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.1.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इति तस्य वच: श्रुत्वा त्रयस्ते विबुधर्षभा: ।

प्रत्याहु: श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रहस्य तमृषिं प्रभो ॥ २९ ॥

maitreya uvāca

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā

trayas te vibudharṣabhāḥ

pratyāhuḥ ślakṣṇayā vācā

prahasya tam ṛṣiṁ prabho

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: Upon hearing Atri Muni speak in that way, the three great deities smiled, and they replied in the following sweet words.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respond with Gentle Words

  1. 1

    Maitreya continued describing the exchange between Atri Muni and the three great deities.

  2. 2

    The deities heard Atri Muni’s words before replying.

  3. 3

    They smiled and answered him with sweet words. Their response was gentle.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācathe sage Maitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. tasyahis
  4. vacaḥwords
  5. śrutvāafter hearing
  6. trayaḥ teall three
  7. vibudhademigods
  8. ṛṣabhāḥchiefs
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 respond more gently when someone expresses confusion?

Practice

Listen fully to someone today before answering with kind, gentle words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespond with Gentle WordsThis 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 4.1.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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