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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
4.24.24-254.24.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.26

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

स तान् प्रपन्नार्तिहरो भगवान्धर्मवत्सल: ।

धर्मज्ञान् शीलसम्पन्नान् प्रीत: प्रीतानुवाच ह ॥ २६ ॥

sa tān prapannārti-haro

bhagavān dharma-vatsalaḥ

dharma-jñān śīla-sampannān

prītaḥ prītān uvāca ha

Translation

Lord Śiva became very pleased with the Pracetās because generally Lord Śiva is the protector of pious persons and persons of gentle behavior. Being very much pleased with the princes, he began to speak as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gentle Conduct Pleases Lord Śiva

  1. 1

    Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is known as bhakta-vatsala. Lord Śiva is described here as dharma-vatsala, fond of those who follow religious principles.

  2. 2

    Some people worship Lord Śiva for material profit while influenced by passion and ignorance. When he sees them following religious principles, he blesses them.

  3. 3

    The Pracetās were naturally pious and gentle, so Lord Śiva was immediately pleased with them. Recognizing them as sons of Vaiṣṇavas, he offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Such persons are not always very much religious and pious in their activities, but since they worship Lord Śiva for some material profit, they sometimes obey the religious principles.
  • The Pracetās, sons of Prācīnabarhi, were naturally very pious and gentle, and consequently Lord Śiva was immediately pleased with them.
  • Lord Śiva could understand that the princes were sons of Vaiṣṇavas, and as such Lord Śiva offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead as follows.

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. saḥLord Śiva
  2. tānthem
  3. prapanna-ārti-haraḥone who drives away all kinds of dangers
  4. bhagavānthe lord
  5. dharma-vatsalaḥvery much fond of religious principles
  6. dharma-jñānpersons who are aware of religious principles
  7. śīla-sampannānvery well behaved
  8. prītaḥbeing pleased
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “religious”, “dharma-vatsala”, “principles”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “protector”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 can my behavior today become more gentle and faithful to religious principles?

Practice

In one conversation today, make a deliberate effort to speak gently and behave respectfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGentle Conduct Pleases Lord ŚivaThis 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 4.24.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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