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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
4.24.44.24.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.5

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.24.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अन्तर्धानो नभस्वत्यां हविर्धानमविन्दत ।

य इन्द्रमश्वहर्तारं विद्वानपि न जघ्निवान् ॥ ५ ॥

antardhāno nabhasvatyāṁ

havirdhānam avindata

ya indram aśva-hartāraṁ

vidvān api na jaghnivān

Translation

Mahārāja Antardhāna had another wife, named Nabhasvatī, and by her he was happy to beget another son, named Havirdhāna. Since Mahārāja Antardhāna was very liberal, he did not kill Indra while the demigod was stealing his father’s horse at the sacrifice.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Reduce Devotees to Their Faults

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Antardhāna and Nabhasvatī had a son named Havirdhāna. Antardhāna was liberal and did not kill Indra even though he knew Indra was stealing the horse.

  2. 2

    The purport cites the Lord’s teaching that even a devotee who commits an abominable act should be considered a sādhu because of unflinching devotion to Him.

  3. 3

    Devotees never willingly commit sinful acts, though previous habits may sometimes cause a lapse. The purport asks that such accidental faults be overlooked rather than made the measure of their devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Antardhāna could understand that King Indra was stealing the horse from his father, he did not kill Indra, for he knew that if one who is very powerful sometimes commits an abominable act, it should be disregarded.
  • Thus the Lord says that even if a devotee commits an abominable act, he should be considered a sādhu, or a pious man, because of his unflinching devotion to the Lord.
  • If by chance they commit something abominable, it should not be taken into account, but should be overlooked.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.24.5 quotesBG 9.30

In Bhagavad-gītā (9.30) it is clearly stated: Thus the Lord says that even if a devotee commits an abominable act, he should be considered a sādhu, or a pious man, because of his unflinching devotion to the Lord.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. antardhānaḥthe king of the name Antardhāna
  2. nabhasvatyāmunto his wife Nabhasvatī
  3. havirdhānamof the name Havirdhāna
  4. avindataobtained
  5. yaḥwho
  6. indramKing Indra
  7. aśva-hartāramwho was stealing the horse of his father
  8. vidvān apialthough he knew it
  9. na jaghnivāndid not kill
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “father’s”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

Do I judge a devotee only by a fault, or also recognize their sincere devotion?

Practice

Refrain today from repeating gossip about a devotee’s lapse, and remember their sincere service instead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Reduce Devotees to Their FaultsThis 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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