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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
4.24.784.25.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.79

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

गीतं मयेदं नरदेवनन्दना:

परस्य पुंस: परमात्मन: स्तवम् ।

जपन्त एकाग्रधियस्तपो महत्

चरध्वमन्ते तत आप्स्यथेप्सितम् ॥ ७९ ॥

gītaṁ mayedaṁ naradeva-nandanāḥ

parasya puṁsaḥ paramātmanaḥ stavam

japanta ekāgra-dhiyas tapo mahat

caradhvam ante tata āpsyathepsitam

Translation

My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have recited to you are meant for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. I advise you to recite these prayers, which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, your life will be successful, and you will certainly achieve all your desired objectives without fail.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Persist in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    These prayers are meant to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. Pleasing Him is their purpose.

  2. 2

    Reciting these prayers is as effective as performing great austerities. The verse recommends this practice as a way to make life successful.

  3. 3

    Persistent devotional service brings the fulfillment of all desires in due course of time. Continue serving rather than expecting everything immediately.

Key points from the purport
  • If we persistently engage in devotional service, certainly all our desires will be fulfilled in due course of time.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Twenty-fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva.”

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gītamsung
  2. mayāby me
  3. idamthis
  4. naradeva-nandanāḥO sons of the King
  5. parasyaof the Supreme
  6. puṁsaḥPersonality of Godhead
  7. parama-ātmanaḥthe Supersoul of everyone
  8. stavamprayer
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: “recited”, “reciting”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “king”

  • 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

How can I remain steady in devotional service while allowing its results to come in due course?

Practice

Set aside a short time today to recite these prayers for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPersist in Devotional ServiceThis 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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