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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 10: Dhruva Mahārāja’s Fight with the Yakṣas
4.10.224.10.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.10.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.10.18-19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

क्षणेनाच्छादितं व्योम घनानीकेन सर्वत: ।

विस्फुरत्तडिता दिक्षु त्रासयत्स्तनयित्नुना ॥ २३ ॥

kṣaṇenācchāditaṁ vyoma

ghanānīkena sarvataḥ

visphurat-taḍitā dikṣu

trāsayat-stanayitnunā

Translation

Within a moment the whole sky was overcast with dense clouds, and severe thundering was heard. There was glittering electric lightning and severe rainfall.

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.

The Sky Suddenly Becomes Threatening

  1. 1

    Within a moment, dense clouds covered the whole sky.

  2. 2

    Severe thunder was heard, and electric lightning glittered.

  3. 3

    Severe rainfall added to the threatening scene.

How it feels

Rejection → Transformed aspiration. A child's wounded pride is purified by divine encounter.

Chapters 8–12 of Canto 4: Dhruva seeks and encounters the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Dhruva Mahārāja’s Fight with the Yakṣas

After Uttama is killed by a Yakṣa, Dhruva fights the Yakṣas and faces their illusions.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṣaṇenawithin a moment
  2. ācchāditamwas covered
  3. vyomathe sky
  4. ghanaof dense clouds
  5. anīkenawith a mass
  6. sarvataḥeverywhere
  7. visphuratdazzling
  8. taḍitāwith lightning
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 4.10

    In this verse: “heard”

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

Which detail helps you picture how suddenly the scene became frightening?

Practice

Read the translation slowly today, noticing the clouds, thunder, lightning and rain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sky Suddenly Becomes ThreateningThis 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 4.10.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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