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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 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva
4.6.184.6.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.6.19-20

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Conjecturing on the origin of the storm, theysince 4.5.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रवनर्द्धिभि: ।

नलिनीषु कलं कूजत्खगवृन्दोपशोभितम् ॥ १९ ॥

मृगै: शाखामृगै: क्रोडैर्मृगेन्द्रैर्ऋ क्षशल्यकै: ।

गवयै: शरभैर्व्याघ्रै रुरुभिर्महिषादिभि: ॥ २० ॥

kumudotpala-kahlāra-

śatapatra-vanarddhibhiḥ

nalinīṣu kalaṁ kūjat-

khaga-vṛndopaśobhitam

mṛgaiḥ śākhāmṛgaiḥ kroḍair

mṛgendrair ṛkṣa-śalyakaiḥ

gavayaiḥ śarabhair vyāghrai

rurubhir mahiṣādibhiḥ

Translation

There are different kinds of lotus flowers, such as kumuda, utpala and śatapatra. The forest appears to be a decorated garden, and the small lakes are full of various kinds of birds who whisper very sweetly. There are many kinds of other animals also, like deer, monkeys, boars, lions, ṛkṣas, śalyakas, forest cows, forest asses, tigers, small deer, buffalo and many other animals, who are fully enjoying their lives.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Flowers, Birds, and Animals Fill the Forest

  1. 1

    Lotus flowers such as kumuda, utpala and śatapatra make the forest appear like a decorated garden.

  2. 2

    The small lakes are full of different birds who whisper very sweetly.

  3. 3

    Many animals, including deer, monkeys, lions, tigers and buffalo, are fully enjoying their lives.

How it feels

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva

Brahmā and the demigods approach Lord Śiva, asking him to show mercy.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kumudakumuda
  2. utpalautpala
  3. kahlārakahlāra
  4. śatapatralotuses
  5. vanaforest
  6. ṛddhibhiḥbeing covered with
  7. nalinīṣuin the lakes
  8. kalamvery sweetly
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “sweetly”

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 do the flowers, birds and animals together shape your impression of this forest?

Practice

Write one sentence recalling the verse’s flowers, birds and animals.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFlowers, Birds, and Animals Fill the ForestThis 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 4.6.19-20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.