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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 12: Dhruva Mahārāja Goes Back to Godhead
4.12.304.12.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.12.28inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तदा दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्मृदङ्गपणवादय: ।

गन्धर्वमुख्या: प्रजगु: पेतु: कुसुमवृष्टय: ॥ ३१ ॥

tadā dundubhayo nedur

mṛdaṅga-paṇavādayaḥ

gandharva-mukhyāḥ prajaguḥ

petuḥ kusuma-vṛṣṭayaḥ

Translation

At that time drums and kettledrums resounded from the sky, the chief Gandharvas began to sing, and other demigods showered flowers like torrents of rain upon Dhruva Mahārāja.

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.

Dhruva Mahārāja Receives Heavenly Honor

  1. 1

    Drums and kettledrums resounded from the sky as Dhruva Mahārāja departed.

  2. 2

    The chief Gandharvas began to sing, adding their voices to the celebration.

  3. 3

    Other demigods showered flowers upon Dhruva Mahārāja like torrents of rain. His departure was marked by extraordinary honor.

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. tadāat that time
  2. dundubhayaḥkettledrums
  3. neduḥresounded
  4. mṛdaṅgadrums
  5. paṇavasmall drums
  6. ādayaḥetc.
  7. gandharva-mukhyāḥthe chief residents of Gandharvaloka
  8. prajaguḥsang
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

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 take joy in the honor given to a devotee?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and pause to appreciate the joyful celebration of Dhruva Mahārāja.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDhruva Mahārāja Receives Heavenly HonorThis 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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