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
4.1.574.1.59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.58

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.1.58inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एवं सुरगणैस्तात भगवन्तावभिष्टुतौ ।

लब्धावलोकैर्ययतुरर्चितौ गन्धमादनम् ॥ ५८ ॥

evaṁ sura-gaṇais tāta

bhagavantāv abhiṣṭutau

labdhāvalokair yayatur

arcitau gandhamādanam

Translation

[Maitreya said:] O Vidura, thus the demigods worshiped with prayers the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa. The Lord glanced upon them with mercy and then departed for Gandhamādana Hill.

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.

Prayer and the Lord’s Merciful Glance

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa.

  2. 2

    The demigods worshiped Him with prayers, and He glanced upon them with mercy.

  3. 3

    After receiving their worship and bestowing His merciful glance, the Lord departed for Gandhamādana Hill.

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. evamthus
  2. sura-gaṇaiḥby the demigods
  3. tātaO Vidura
  4. bhagavantauthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. abhiṣṭutauhaving been praised
  6. labdhahaving obtained
  7. avalokaiḥthe glance (of mercy)
  8. yayatuḥdeparted
  9. arcitauhaving been worshiped
  10. gandha-mādanamto the Gandhamādana Hill
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “mercy”, “merciful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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 my prayers an expression of worship?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to offer a simple prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPrayer and the Lord’s Merciful GlanceThis 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 4.1.58? 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