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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
4.13.324.13.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The head priestssince 4.13.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तथा स्वभागधेयानि ग्रहीष्यन्ति दिवौकस: ।

यद्यज्ञपुरुष: साक्षादपत्याय हरिर्वृत: ॥ ३३ ॥

tathā sva-bhāgadheyāni

grahīṣyanti divaukasaḥ

yad yajña-puruṣaḥ sākṣād

apatyāya harir vṛtaḥ

Translation

When Hari, the supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices, is invited to fulfill your desire for a son, all the demigods will come with Him and take their shares in the sacrifice.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Satisfying Lord Viṣṇu Is the Purpose

  1. 1

    Hari is the supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices. The priests said that when He came, the demigods would come with Him.

  2. 2

    The demigods naturally follow Lord Viṣṇu, their master, and receive their shares when He attends the sacrifice.

  3. 3

    The conclusion is that sacrifices are meant to satisfy Lord Viṣṇu, not the demigods.

Key points from the purport
  • Whenever a sacrifice is performed, it is meant for satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, the enjoyer of the fruits of all sacrifices; and when Lord Viṣṇu agrees to come to a sacrificial arena, all the demigods naturally follow their master, and their shares are offered in such sacrifices.

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. tathāthereupon
  2. sva-bhāga-dheyānitheir shares in the sacrifice
  3. grahīṣyantiwill accept
  4. diva-okasaḥall the demigods
  5. yatbecause
  6. yajña-puruṣaḥthe enjoyer of all sacrifices
  7. sākṣātdirectly
  8. apatyāyafor the purpose of a son
  9. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  10. vṛtaḥis invited
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

Is pleasing the Supreme Lord central to my worship?

Practice

Before worship today, pause and remember that its purpose is to satisfy the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySatisfying Lord Viṣṇu Is the PurposeThis 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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