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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 23: Mahārāja Pṛthu’s Going Back Home
4.23.234.23.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.48inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कुर्वत्य: कुसुमासारं तस्मिन्मन्दरसानुनि ।

नदत्स्वमरतूर्येषु गृणन्ति स्म परस्परम् ॥ २४ ॥

kurvatyaḥ kusumāsāraṁ

tasmin mandara-sānuni

nadatsv amara-tūryeṣu

gṛṇanti sma parasparam

Translation

At that time the demigods were situated on the top of Mandara Hill, and all their wives began to shower flowers on the funeral pyre and began to talk amongst themselves as follows.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Flowers and Words of Honor

  1. 1

    The demigods were situated on the top of Mandara Hill.

  2. 2

    Their wives showered flowers on the funeral pyre.

  3. 3

    The wives then began speaking among themselves. The verse prepares the reader to hear their words.

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 23: Mahārāja Pṛthu’s Going Back Home

Pṛthu practices forest austerities and fixed devotion to Kṛṣṇa, then departs; Arci’s faithful service is praised.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kurvatyaḥjust showering
  2. kusuma-āsāramshowers of flowers
  3. tasminin that
  4. mandaraof Mandara Hill
  5. sānunion the top
  6. nadatsuvibrating
  7. amara-tūryeṣubeating of the drums of the demigods
  8. gṛṇanti smathey were talking
  9. parasparamamongst themselves as follows
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

How do the flowers and the gathered speakers shape the atmosphere of this scene?

Practice

Pause over the scene and identify its three details: the place, the offering and the conversation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFlowers and Words of HonorThis 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 4.23.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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