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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 12: Dhruva Mahārāja Goes Back to Godhead
4.12.104.12.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.12.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सर्वात्मन्यच्युतेऽसर्वे तीव्रौघां भक्तिमुद्वहन् ।

ददर्शात्मनि भूतेषु तमेवावस्थितं विभुम् ॥ ११ ॥

sarvātmany acyute ’sarve

tīvraughāṁ bhaktim udvahan

dadarśātmani bhūteṣu

tam evāvasthitaṁ vibhum

Translation

Dhruva Mahārāja rendered devotional service unto the Supreme, the reservoir of everything, with unrelenting force. While carrying out his devotional service to the Lord, he could see that everything is situated in Him only and that He is situated in all living entities. The Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails in His prime duty, to give protection to His devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Love Reveals the Lord Everywhere

  1. 1

    Although Dhruva Mahārāja performed sacrifices as an exemplary king, he remained constantly engaged in devotional service. His purpose was not merely to enjoy the results of ritualistic activities.

  2. 2

    The Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails to protect His surrendered devotees. A devotee sees that He is situated within everyone's heart.

  3. 3

    A highly elevated pure devotee sees everything resting in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This spiritual vision develops through love of Godhead, not through imagination.

Key points from the purport
  • Not only did Dhruva Mahārāja perform many sacrifices, but he carried on his transcendental occupation of engagement in the devotional service of the Lord.
  • Ordinary persons cannot understand how the Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, but a devotee can actually see Him.
  • As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.38), premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena: only those who have smeared their eyes with the ointment of love of Godhead can see everywhere the Supreme Lord face to face; it is not possible by imagination or so-called meditation.

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 12: Dhruva Mahārāja Goes Back to Godhead

Dhruva stops fighting, continues devotional service, leaves his kingdom, and goes back to Godhead.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarva-ātmaniunto the Supersoul
  2. acyuteinfallible
  3. asarvewithout any limit
  4. tīvra-oghāmwith unrelenting force
  5. bhaktimdevotional service
  6. udvahanrendering
  7. dadarśahe saw
  8. ātmaniin the Supreme Spirit
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “protection”, “protect”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “duty”

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 might remembering the Lord within everyone's heart change the way I treat others?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause and remember that the Lord is present in the other person's heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Love Reveals the Lord EverywhereThis 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 4.12.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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