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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
4.12.134.12.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.14

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

एवं बहुसवं कालं महात्माविचलेन्द्रिय: ।

त्रिवर्गौपयिकं नीत्वा पुत्रायादान्नृपासनम् ॥ १४ ॥

evaṁ bahu-savaṁ kālaṁ

mahātmāvicalendriyaḥ

tri-vargaupayikaṁ nītvā

putrāyādān nṛpāsanam

Translation

The self-controlled great soul Dhruva Mahārāja thus passed many, many years favorably executing three kinds of worldly activities, namely religiosity, economic development and satisfaction of all material desires. Thereafter he handed over the charge of the royal throne to his son.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fulfill Duties Without Attachment to Enjoyment

  1. 1

    Dhruva Mahārāja carried out his royal duties perfectly while remaining self-controlled. Though his senses retained their strength, he was not interested in sense gratification.

  2. 2

    When his son was ready to rule, Dhruva Mahārāja handed over the throne and retired from material engagements. He did not cling to his position.

  3. 3

    Devotees can remain inwardly detached while outwardly performing their duties properly. Their senses are engaged in higher, transcendental activities rather than controlled merely by force.

Key points from the purport
  • This leads automatically to successful economic development, and thus there is no difficulty in satisfying all material desires.
  • Since Dhruva Mahārāja, as a king, had to keep up his status quo or it would not have been possible to rule over the people in general, he did it perfectly.
  • But as soon as he saw that his son was grown up and could take charge of the royal throne, he immediately handed over the charge and retired from all material engagements.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. bahumany
  3. savamyears
  4. kālamtime
  5. mahā-ātmāgreat soul
  6. avicala-indriyaḥwithout being disturbed by sense agitation
  7. tri-vargathree kinds of worldly activities
  8. aupayikamfavorable for executing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “material”, “sense gratification”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religiosity”, “duties”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “favorably”

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 carry out my responsibilities carefully without becoming attached to position or enjoyment?

Practice

Complete one responsibility carefully today while keeping your mind inwardly directed toward devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFulfill Duties Without Attachment to EnjoymentThis 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 4.12.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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