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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 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva
4.24.214.24.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.24.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मत्तभ्रमरसौस्वर्यहृष्टरोमलताङ्‌घ्रिपम् ।

पद्मकोशरजो दिक्षु विक्षिपत्पवनोत्सवम् ॥ २२ ॥

matta-bhramara-sausvarya-

hṛṣṭa-roma-latāṅghripam

padma-kośa-rajo dikṣu

vikṣipat-pavanotsavam

Translation

There were various trees and creepers on all sides of the lake, and there were mad bumblebees humming all about them. The trees appeared to be very jolly due to the sweet humming of the bumblebees, and the saffron, which was contained in the lotus flowers, was being thrown into the air. These all created such an atmosphere that it appeared as though a festival were taking place there.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Living Nature Shares a Joyful Festival

  1. 1

    Trees and creepers are also living beings. The purport describes their happiness when bumblebees come to collect honey.

  2. 2

    The wind scattered pollen or saffron from the lotus flowers. Together with the humming bees, sweet sounds of swans and calm water, this created a festive atmosphere.

  3. 3

    The Pracetās saw the place as a continuous festival. From this description, the purport suggests that they had reached Śivaloka, near the Himālaya Mountains.

Key points from the purport
  • Trees and creepers are also different types of living beings.
  • When bumblebees come upon trees and creepers to collect honey, certainly such plants become very happy.
  • On such an occasion the wind also takes advantage of the situation by throwing pollen or saffron contained in the lotus flowers.

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

Worldly absorption → Sobering awareness. The mind's identification with material life becomes visible.

Chapters 24–29 of Canto 4: Śiva's song and the allegory of Purañjana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva

Lord Śiva mercifully teaches the Pracetās prayers glorifying the Supreme Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mattamad
  2. bhramarabumblebees
  3. sau-svaryawith great humming
  4. hṛṣṭajoyfully
  5. romahair on the body
  6. latācreepers
  7. aṅghripamtrees
  8. padmalotus flower
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 does recognizing trees and creepers as living beings change the way I notice them?

Practice

Spend a minute observing a tree or creeper today, remembering that it too is a living being.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLiving Nature Shares a Joyful FestivalThis 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 4.24.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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