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
4.6.314.6.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.32

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

स योजनशतोत्सेध: पादोनविटपायत: ।

पर्यक्‍कृताचलच्छायो निर्नीडस्तापवर्जित: ॥ ३२ ॥

sa yojana-śatotsedhaḥ

pādona-viṭapāyataḥ

paryak-kṛtācala-cchāyo

nirnīḍas tāpa-varjitaḥ

Translation

That banyan tree was eight hundred miles high, and its branches spread over six hundred miles around. The tree cast a fine shade which permanently cooled the temperature, yet there was no noise of birds.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Peaceful Place Suitable for Meditation

  1. 1

    The banyan tree was eight hundred miles high, and its branches spread six hundred miles around. Its steady shade kept the place cool.

  2. 2

    Although birds generally gather noisily in trees, this banyan appeared to have no nests. It was calm, quiet and peaceful.

  3. 3

    There were no disturbances from noise or heat. The purport explains that this made the place suitable for meditation.

Key points from the purport
  • Generally, in every tree there are bird nests, and the birds congregate in the evening and create noise.
  • But it appears that this banyan tree was devoid of nests, and therefore it was calm, quiet and peaceful.
  • There were no disturbances from noise or heat, and therefore this place was just suitable for meditation.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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. saḥthat banyan tree
  2. yojana-śataone hundred yojanas (eight hundred miles)
  3. utsedhaḥheight
  4. pāda-ūnaless by a quarter (six hundred miles)
  5. viṭapaby the branches
  6. āyataḥspread out
  7. paryakall around
  8. kṛtamade
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

What small change could make my surroundings more suitable for meditation?

Practice

Choose a quiet, comfortably cool spot and set aside a few undisturbed minutes for meditation today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Peaceful Place Suitable for MeditationThis 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 4.6.32? 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