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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.484.14.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.49

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

अलक्षयन्त: पदवीं प्रजापते-

र्हतोद्यमा: प्रत्युपसृत्य ते पुरीम् ।

ऋषीन् समेतानभिवन्द्य साश्रवो

न्यवेदयन् पौरव भर्तृविप्लवम् ॥ ४९ ॥

alakṣayantaḥ padavīṁ prajāpater

hatodyamāḥ pratyupasṛtya te purīm

ṛṣīn sametān abhivandya sāśravo

nyavedayan paurava bhartṛ-viplavam

Translation

When the citizens could not find any trace of the King after searching for him everywhere, they were very disappointed, and they returned to the city, where all the great sages of the country assembled because of the King’s absence. With tears in their eyes the citizens offered respectful obeisances and informed the sages in full detail that they were unable to find the King anywhere.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respectfully Report Difficulties to the Sages

  1. 1

    After searching everywhere without finding any trace of the King, the disappointed citizens returned to the city.

  2. 2

    The great sages of the country had assembled because of the King’s absence.

  3. 3

    With tears in their eyes, the citizens offered respectful obeisances. They then informed the sages in full detail that they could not find the King.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja.”

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. alakṣayantaḥnot finding
  2. padavīmany trace
  3. prajāpateḥof King Aṅga
  4. hata-udyamāḥhaving become disappointed
  5. pratyupasṛtyaafter returning
  6. tethose citizens
  7. purīmto the city
  8. ṛṣīnthe great sages
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “absence”

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

When my efforts fail, can I explain the situation honestly and respectfully?

Practice

When reporting a difficulty today, calmly give the relevant details and acknowledge what you could not accomplish.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespectfully Report Difficulties to the SagesThis 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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