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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 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.114.13.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.12

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.13.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स्वर्वीथिर्वत्सरस्येष्टा भार्यासूत षडात्मजान् ।

पुष्पार्णं तिग्मकेतुं च इषमूर्जं वसुं जयम् ॥ १२ ॥

svarvīthir vatsarasyeṣṭā

bhāryāsūta ṣaḍ-ātmajān

puṣpārṇaṁ tigmaketuṁ ca

iṣam ūrjaṁ vasuṁ jayam

Translation

King Vatsara had a very dear wife whose name was Svarvīthi, and she gave birth to six sons, named Puṣpārṇa, Tigmaketu, Iṣa, Ūrja, Vasu and Jaya.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Qualities Support a Peaceful Home

  1. 1

    Vatsara’s dear wife, Svarvīthi, gave birth to six sons. The purport explains that she was regarded as worshipable because of her good qualities.

  2. 2

    She was faithful, obedient and affectionate toward her husband, and capable of managing household affairs.

  3. 3

    When both husband and wife have good qualities and live peacefully, nice children take birth. In this way, the whole family becomes happy and prosperous.

Key points from the purport
  • Vatsara’s wife is mentioned here as iṣṭā, which means “worshipable.”
  • In other words, it appears that Vatsara’s wife had all good qualities; for example, she was always very faithful and obedient and affectionate to her husband.
  • If both the husband and wife are endowed with good qualities and live peacefully, then nice children take birth, and thus the whole family is happy and prosperous.

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

Anger and disorder → Duty and devotion. Kingship shifts from domination to stewardship and renunciation.

Chapters 13–23 of Canto 4: Vena and Pṛthu: power, the Earth and stewardship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja

Dhruva’s descendants are described, followed by an account of a sonless king and the cruel boy Vena.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. svarvīthiḥSvarvīthi
  2. vatsarasyaof King Vatsara
  3. iṣṭāvery dear
  4. bhāryāwife
  5. asūtagave birth to
  6. ṣaṭsix
  7. ātmajānsons
  8. puṣpārṇamPuṣpārṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “worshipable”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “household”

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

Which good quality could I strengthen to help make my home more peaceful?

Practice

Do one household task today with care and affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGood Qualities Support a Peaceful HomeThis 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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