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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.24.304.24.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 4.24.28inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Śiva → the Pracetās

इदं विविक्तं जप्तव्यं पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम् ।

नि:श्रेयसकरं चापि श्रूयतां तद्वदामि व: ॥ ३१ ॥

idaṁ viviktaṁ japtavyaṁ

pavitraṁ maṅgalaṁ param

niḥśreyasa-karaṁ cāpi

śrūyatāṁ tad vadāmi vaḥ

Translation

Now I shall chant one mantra which is not only transcendental, pure and auspicious, but is the best prayer for anyone who is aspiring to attain the ultimate goal of life. When I chant this mantra, please hear it carefully and attentively.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear Lord Śiva’s Prayer Attentively

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva introduces a mantra that is transcendental, pure and auspicious. It benefits anyone aspiring to the ultimate goal of life.

  2. 2

    His prayers should not be considered sectarian. They are confidential instructions for those seeking life’s ultimate auspicious goal.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva asks his listeners to hear carefully and attentively. Following his instructions means praying to and glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead as he does.

Key points from the purport
  • No one should think of the prayers recited by Lord Śiva as being sectarian.
  • Rather, they are very confidential, so much so that anyone desiring the ultimate prosperity or auspicious goal of life must take the instructions of Lord Śiva and pray to and glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Lord Śiva himself did.

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. idamthis
  2. viviktamvery, particular
  3. japtavyamalways to be chanted
  4. pavitramvery pure
  5. maṅgalamauspicious
  6. paramtranscendental
  7. niḥśreyasa-karamvery beneficial
  8. caalso
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “chant”, “glorifying”

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

What would help me hear prayers with greater care and attention?

Practice

Remove one distraction before your next prayer, and give its words your full attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Lord Śiva’s Prayer AttentivelyThis 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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