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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
4.6.234.6.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.24

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

नन्दा चालकनन्दा च सरितौ बाह्यत: पुर: ।

तीर्थपादपदाम्भोजरजसातीव पावने ॥ २४ ॥

nandā cālakanandā ca

saritau bāhyataḥ puraḥ

tīrthapāda-padāmbhoja-

rajasātīva pāvane

Translation

They also saw the two rivers named Nandā and Alakanandā. These two rivers are sanctified by the dust of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda.

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.

Govinda’s Lotus Feet Sanctify the Rivers

  1. 1

    They saw the two rivers named Nandā and Alakanandā.

  2. 2

    Both rivers are sanctified by the dust of Govinda’s lotus feet.

  3. 3

    Govinda is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The rivers’ sacredness comes from contact with His lotus feet.

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. nandāthe Nandā
  2. caand
  3. alakanandāthe Alakanandā
  4. caand
  5. saritautwo rivers
  6. bāhyataḥoutside
  7. puraḥfrom the city
  8. tīrtha-pādaof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “nandā”

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

What does this description help me appreciate about Govinda’s lotus feet?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering Govinda’s lotus feet and how their dust sanctifies these rivers.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGovinda’s Lotus Feet Sanctify the RiversThis 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 4.6.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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