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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
4.12.474.12.49-50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.12.48

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

प्रयत: कीर्तयेत्प्रात: समवाये द्विजन्मनाम् ।

सायं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य ध्रुवस्य चरितं महत् ॥ ४८ ॥

prayataḥ kīrtayet prātaḥ

samavāye dvi-janmanām

sāyaṁ ca puṇya-ślokasya

dhruvasya caritaṁ mahat

Translation

The great sage Maitreya recommended: One should chant of the character and activities of Dhruva Mahārāja both in the morning and in the evening, with great attention and care, in a society of brāhmaṇas or other twice-born persons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Discuss Dhruva’s Character in Devotee Association

  1. 1

    Maitreya recommends chanting about Dhruva Mahārāja’s character and activities morning and evening, with great attention and care.

  2. 2

    Only in the association of devotees can one understand the importance of the Lord’s character and pastimes and those of His devotees. Especially seek brāhmaṇas elevated to the position of Vaiṣṇavas.

  3. 3

    Through initiation and authorized training, anyone can become twice-born; academic qualifications alone do not give spiritual understanding. Devotee association makes discussion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam quickly effective and supports devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse it is especially recommended that Dhruva Mahārāja’s character be discussed in a society of the twice-born, which refers to the qualified brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas.
  • Anyone can join the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and be initiated to become twice-born.
  • The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has been started especially to create qualified brāhmaṇas to broadcast spiritual knowledge all over the world, for thus people may become very happy.

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. prayataḥwith great care
  2. kīrtayetone should chant
  3. prātaḥin the morning
  4. samavāyein the association
  5. dvi-janmanāmof the twice-born
  6. sāyamin the evening
  7. caalso
  8. puṇya-ślokasyaof sacred renown
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: “chant”, “chanting”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

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 give more attention and care to hearing about the Lord and His devotees?

Practice

Arrange a brief discussion of Dhruva Mahārāja’s character with a devotee this morning or evening.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDiscuss Dhruva’s Character in Devotee AssociationThis 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 4.12.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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