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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 10: Dhruva Mahārāja’s Fight with the Yakṣas
4.10.84.10.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.10.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.10.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ते वै ललाटलग्नैस्तैरिषुभि: सर्व एव हि । मत्वा निरस्तमात्मानमाशंसन् कर्म तस्य तत् ॥ ९ ॥

te vai lalāṭa-lagnais tair

iṣubhiḥ sarva eva hi

matvā nirastam ātmānam

āśaṁsan karma tasya tat

Translation

When the heroes of the Yakṣas saw that all their heads were being thus threatened by Dhruva Mahārāja, they could very easily understand their awkward position, and they concluded that they would certainly be defeated. But, as heroes, they lauded the action of Dhruva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Appreciate Prowess Even in an Enemy

  1. 1

    With their heads threatened by Dhruva Mahārāja’s arrows, the Yakṣa heroes understood their difficult position. They concluded that they would certainly be defeated.

  2. 2

    Although Dhruva Mahārāja was their enemy and had severely attacked them, they praised his wonderful, heroic actions.

  3. 3

    The purport calls this a sporting attitude in fighting. Straightforward appreciation of an enemy’s prowess is a characteristic of real kṣatriya spirit.

Key points from the purport
  • This spirit of fighting in a sporting attitude is very significant in this verse.
  • Dhruva Mahārāja was their enemy, but still, upon witnessing the wonderful, heroic acts of Mahārāja Dhruva, they were very pleased with him.
  • This straightforward appreciation of an enemy’s prowess is a characteristic of real kṣatriya spirit.

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

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. tethey
  2. vaicertainly
  3. lalāṭa-lagnaiḥintent upon their heads
  4. taiḥby those
  5. iṣubhiḥarrows
  6. sarveall of them
  7. evacertainly
  8. hiwithout fail
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.10

    In this verse: “understand”

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 honestly appreciate someone’s ability even when that person opposes me?

Practice

Acknowledge one genuine ability in someone with whom you disagree.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAppreciate Prowess Even in an EnemyThis 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.

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