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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
4.12.464.12.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.47

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.12.44inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

महत्त्वमिच्छतां तीर्थं श्रोतु: शीलादयो गुणा: ।

यत्र तेजस्तदिच्छूनां मानो यत्र मनस्विनाम् ॥ ४७ ॥

mahattvam icchatāṁ tīrthaṁ

śrotuḥ śīlādayo guṇāḥ

yatra tejas tad icchūnāṁ

māno yatra manasvinām

Translation

Anyone who hears this narration of Dhruva Mahārāja acquires exalted qualities like him. For anyone who desires greatness, prowess or influence, here is the process by which to acquire them, and for thoughtful men who want adoration, here is the proper means.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing About Dhruva Develops Exalted Qualities

  1. 1

    Anyone who hears the narration of Dhruva Mahārāja acquires exalted qualities like his, including high character.

  2. 2

    In the material world, everyone seeks profit, respectability and reputation. This narration offers the proper process for those who desire greatness, prowess or influence.

  3. 3

    Ambitions desirable for great persons can be fulfilled simply by reading and understanding Dhruva Mahārāja’s activities.

Key points from the purport
  • In the material world everyone is after profit, respectability and reputation, everyone wants the supreme exalted position, and everyone wants to hear about the great qualities of exalted persons.
  • All ambitions which are desirable for great persons can be fulfilled simply by reading and understanding the narration of Dhruva Mahārāja’s activities.

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. mahattvamgreatness
  2. icchatāmfor those desiring
  3. tīrthamthe process
  4. śrotuḥof the hearer
  5. śīla-ādayaḥhigh character, etc.
  6. guṇāḥqualities
  7. yatrain which
  8. tejaḥprowess
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “narration”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.12

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 could hearing about Dhruva Mahārāja help me value exalted character rather than reputation alone?

Practice

Read this translation again slowly, and identify one quality you would like to develop through hearing about Dhruva Mahārāja.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing About Dhruva Develops Exalted QualitiesThis 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 4.12.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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