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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
4.24.334.24.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.34

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.24.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Śiva → the Pracetās

नम: पङ्कजनाभाय भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियात्मने ।

वासुदेवाय शान्ताय कूटस्थाय स्वरोचिषे ॥ ३४ ॥

namaḥ paṅkaja-nābhāya

bhūta-sūkṣmendriyātmane

vāsudevāya śāntāya

kūṭa-sthāya sva-rociṣe

Translation

My Lord, You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Vāsudeva. You are most peaceful, and because of Your self-illuminated existence, You are not disturbed by the six kinds of transformations.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Engage the Senses Under the Lord’s Protection

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is the origin of the material senses and sense objects. As Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of the senses, He can mercifully engage our senses in His service.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva desires not to be misled by the material senses. By the grace of all-pervading Vāsudeva, one can engage in devotional service without deviation.

  3. 3

    Conditioned souls are disturbed by hunger, thirst, grief, illusion, old age and death, but the Lord remains peaceful and self-illuminated. A conditioned soul can remain perfect under His protection through devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • As such, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, is the origin of the material senses and sense objects.
  • Since Lord Śiva considers himself to be one of the products of the material world, his senses are under the control of the supreme creator.
  • However, if the living entity is graced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he can engage these very senses in the service of the Lord.

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. namaḥall obeisances unto You
  2. paṅkaja-nābhāyaunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whose navel the lotus flower emanates
  3. bhūta-sūkṣmathe sense objects
  4. indriyathe senses
  5. ātmanethe origin
  6. vāsudevāyaunto Lord Vāsudeva
  7. śāntāyaalways peaceful
  8. kūṭa-sthāyawithout being changed
  9. sva-rociṣeunto the supreme illumination
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “mercifully”, “grace”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Which sense do I most need the Lord’s help to engage in His service?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking Lord Vāsudeva to help you use your senses in His service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEngage the Senses Under the Lord’s ProtectionThis 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 4.24.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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