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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
4.6.254.6.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.26

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

ययोस्तत्स्‍नानविभ्रष्टनवकुङ्कुमपिञ्जरम् ।

वितृषोऽपि पिबन्त्यम्भ: पाययन्तो गजा गजी: ॥ २६ ॥

yayos tat-snāna-vibhraṣṭa-

nava-kuṅkuma-piñjaram

vitṛṣo ’pi pibanty ambhaḥ

pāyayanto gajā gajīḥ

Translation

After the damsels of the heavenly planets bathe in the water, it becomes yellowish and fragrant due to the kuṅkuma from their bodies. Thus the elephants come to bathe there with their wives, the she-elephants, and they also drink the water, although they are not thirsty.

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.

Fragrant Waters Attract the Elephants

  1. 1

    The heavenly damsels’ bathing leaves kuṅkuma from their bodies in the water.

  2. 2

    This kuṅkuma makes the water yellowish and fragrant.

  3. 3

    Elephants come there with the she-elephants to bathe. They also drink the water even though they are not thirsty.

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. yayoḥin both of which rivers
  2. tat-snānaby the bathing of them (the damsels of the heavenly planets)
  3. vibhraṣṭafallen off
  4. navafresh
  5. kuṅkumawith kuṅkuma powder
  6. piñjaramyellow
  7. vitṛṣaḥnot being thirsty
  8. apieven
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 detail helps me picture the attraction of these waters?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, picturing the fragrant water and the elephants bathing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFragrant Waters Attract the ElephantsThis 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 4.6.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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