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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
4.12.354.12.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.36

Mukti· Liberation
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

यद्भ्राजमानं स्वरुचैव सर्वतो

लोकास्त्रयो ह्यनु विभ्राजन्त एते ।

यन्नाव्रजञ्जन्तुषु येऽननुग्रहा

व्रजन्ति भद्राणि चरन्ति येऽनिशम् ॥ ३६ ॥

yad bhrājamānaṁ sva-rucaiva sarvato

lokās trayo hy anu vibhrājanta ete

yan nāvrajañ jantuṣu ye ’nanugrahā

vrajanti bhadrāṇi caranti ye ’niśam

Translation

The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Merciful Devotion Opens the Path to Vaikuṇṭha

  1. 1

    The Vaikuṇṭha planets shine by their own illumination and need no sun, moon or electric light. The luminaries of the material sky borrow their illumination from Vaikuṇṭhaloka.

  2. 2

    Those who reach Vaikuṇṭha are merciful and constantly work for the welfare of other living entities. The purport identifies this continual welfare work with Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Devotees serve the Lord by helping suffering people return home, back to Godhead. Even if they cannot bring everyone back, their sincere work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness qualifies them for the spiritual world.

Key points from the purport
  • From this material world, however, people can be transferred to the Vaikuṇṭhaloka, if they incessantly engage in welfare activities for all other living entities.
  • There is no philanthropic work within this material world but Kṛṣṇa consciousness that can engage a person twenty-four hours a day.
  • Only Kṛṣṇa conscious persons are eligible to enter into the spiritual world.

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. yatwhich planet
  2. bhrājamānamilluminating
  3. sva-rucāby self-effulgence
  4. evaonly
  5. sarvataḥeverywhere
  6. lokāḥplanetary systems
  7. trayaḥthree
  8. hicertainly
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “welfare”, “suffering”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “merciful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 my devotional life include concern for others’ spiritual welfare?

Practice

Share one teaching about Kṛṣṇa consciousness with someone willing to hear, with kindness and without pressure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMerciful Devotion Opens the Path to VaikuṇṭhaThis 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 4.12.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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