1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.21

Who is speaking and story frame

कर्णान्त्रैकपदाश्वास्यैर्निर्जुष्टं वृकनाभिभि: ।

कदलीखण्डसंरुद्धनलिनीपुलिनश्रियम् ॥ २१ ॥

karṇāntraikapadāśvāsyair

nirjuṣṭaṁ vṛka-nābhibhiḥ

kadalī-khaṇḍa-saṁruddha-

nalinī-pulina-śriyam

Translation

There are varieties of deer, such as karṇāntra, ekapada, aśvāsya, vṛka and kastūrī, the deer which bears musk. Besides the deer there are many banana trees which decorate the small hillside lakes very nicely.

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.

Deer and Banana Trees Adorn the Lakes

  1. 1

    The varieties of deer include karṇāntra, ekapada, aśvāsya and vṛka.

  2. 2

    The kastūrī deer, which bears musk, is also present.

  3. 3

    Many banana trees beautifully decorate the small hillside lakes.

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. karṇāntraby the karṇāntra
  2. ekapadathe ekapada
  3. aśvāsyaiḥby the aśvāsya
  4. nirjuṣṭamfully enjoyed
  5. vṛka-nābhibhiḥby the vṛka and nābhi, or kastūrī deer
  6. kadalīof banana trees
  7. khaṇḍawith groups
  8. saṁruddhacovered
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

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 feature helps you picture these hillside lakes most vividly?

Practice

Reread the verse and picture the banana trees around the small lakes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDeer and Banana Trees Adorn the LakesThis 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 4.6.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.