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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
4.24.364.24.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

स्वर्गापवर्गद्वाराय नित्यं शुचिषदे नम: ।

नमो हिरण्यवीर्याय चातुर्होत्राय तन्तवे ॥ ३७ ॥

svargāpavarga-dvārāya

nityaṁ śuci-ṣade namaḥ

namo hiraṇya-vīryāya

cātur-hotrāya tantave

Translation

My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority by which the doors of the higher planetary systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You. You are the possessor of semen which is like gold, and thus, in the form of fire, You help the Vedic sacrifices, beginning with cātur-hotra. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is the Best Liberation

  1. 1

    Svarga means the heavenly planetary systems, while apavarga means liberation. Attachment to fruitive activities keeps one entangled in the three modes of material nature.

  2. 2

    There are different kinds of liberation, but the best is engagement in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord. The goal is therefore beyond heavenly enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Lord Aniruddha helps fruitive workers reach higher planets and helps devotees engage in devotional service. His inspiration supplies the energy for serving the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The word svarga indicates a position in the higher or heavenly planetary systems, and the word apavarga means “liberation.”
  • Not only does Lord Aniruddha help fruitive actors by elevating them to the higher planetary systems, but He also helps the devotee engage in devotional service by dint of His inexhaustible energy.
  • Just as heat is the source of material energy, the inspiration of Lord Aniruddha is the energy by which one can engage in executing devotional service.

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. svargathe heavenly planets
  2. apavargathe path of liberation
  3. dvārāyaunto the door of
  4. nityameternally
  5. śuci-sadeunto the most purified
  6. namaḥmy obeisances unto You
  7. namaḥmy obeisances
  8. hiraṇyagold
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

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

Am I seeking rewards from the Lord, or the opportunity to serve Him?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, ask Lord Aniruddha for the inspiration to serve rather than seek a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Is the Best LiberationThis 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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