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

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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 ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva
4.6.304.6.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.31

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

वैदूर्यकृतसोपाना वाप्य उत्पलमालिनी: ।

प्राप्तं किम्पुरुषैर्दृष्ट्वा त आराद्दद‍ृशुर्वटम् ॥ ३१ ॥

vaidūrya-kṛta-sopānā

vāpya utpala-mālinīḥ

prāptaṁ kimpuruṣair dṛṣṭvā

ta ārād dadṛśur vaṭam

Translation

They also saw that the bathing ghāṭas and their staircases were made of vaidūrya-maṇi. The water was full of lotus flowers. Passing by such lakes, the demigods reached a place where there was a great banyan tree.

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.

Past Lotus Lakes to a Great Banyan

  1. 1

    The demigods saw bathing ghāṭas and staircases made of vaidūrya-maṇi.

  2. 2

    The waters of the lakes were filled with lotus flowers.

  3. 3

    After passing these lakes, the demigods reached a place where a great banyan tree stood.

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. vaidūrya-kṛtamade of vaidūrya
  2. sopānāḥstaircases
  3. vāpyaḥlakes
  4. utpalaof lotus flowers
  5. mālinīḥcontaining rows
  6. prāptaminhabited
  7. kimpuruṣaiḥby the Kimpuruṣas
  8. dṛṣṭvāafter seeing
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 details help me follow the demigods’ journey through this setting?

Practice

Read the translation once and recall its three main features: the bathing places, lotus-filled waters and great banyan tree.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPast Lotus Lakes to a Great BanyanThis 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 4.6.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories