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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
4.24.234.24.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.24.24-25

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

तर्ह्येव सरसस्तस्मान्निष्क्रामन्तं सहानुगम् ।

उपगीयमानममरप्रवरं विबुधानुगै: ॥ २४ ॥

तप्तहेमनिकायाभं शितिकण्ठं त्रिलोचनम् ।

प्रसादसुमुखं वीक्ष्य प्रणेमुर्जातकौतुका: ॥ २५ ॥

tarhy eva sarasas tasmān

niṣkrāmantaṁ sahānugam

upagīyamānam amara-

pravaraṁ vibudhānugaiḥ

tapta-hema-nikāyābhaṁ

śiti-kaṇṭhaṁ tri-locanam

prasāda-sumukhaṁ vīkṣya

praṇemur jāta-kautukāḥ

Translation

The Pracetās were fortunate to see Lord Śiva, the chief of the demigods, emerging from the water with his associates. His bodily luster was just like molten gold, his throat was bluish, and he had three eyes, which looked very mercifully upon his devotees. He was accompanied by many musicians, who were glorifying him. As soon as the Pracetās saw Lord Śiva, they immediately offered their obeisances in great amazement and fell down at the lotus feet of the lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Is Not for Harmful Ambitions

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva emerged with his associates, his body glowing like molten gold and his eyes looking mercifully upon his devotees. The amazed Pracetās immediately bowed at his lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva is called Āśutoṣa because he is pleased very quickly. His great mercy makes him readily approachable with obeisances and bael leaves.

  3. 3

    Those seeking material prosperity may misuse Lord Śiva’s generous blessings and cause danger to others. Devotees of Lord Viṣṇu do not desire such blessings, and Lord Viṣṇu does not grant blessings that disturb the world.

Key points from the purport
  • Because Lord Śiva is always very, very merciful, his name is Āśutoṣa.
  • Generally those who are very fond of material prosperity approach Lord Śiva for such benediction.
  • The demons take advantage of this leniency and sometimes take benedictions from Lord Śiva which can be very dangerous to others.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tarhiin that very moment
  2. evacertainly
  3. sarasaḥfrom the water
  4. tasmāttherefrom
  5. niṣkrāmantamcoming out
  6. saha-anugamaccompanied by great souls
  7. upagīyamānamglorified by the followers
  8. amara-pravaramthe chief of the demigods
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “mercifully”, “mercy”, “blessings”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “luster”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “devotees”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Are the blessings I seek free from ambitions that could harm or disturb others?

Practice

Review one thing you wish to receive, and set aside any part of that wish that would cause harm to someone else.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.24's connections

Live this todayMercy Is Not for Harmful AmbitionsThis 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 4.24.24-25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.