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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
4.6.334.6.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

सनन्दनाद्यैर्महासिद्धै: शान्तै: संशान्तविग्रहम् ।

उपास्यमानं सख्या च भर्त्रा गुह्यकरक्षसाम् ॥ ३४ ॥

sanandanādyair mahā-siddhaiḥ

śāntaiḥ saṁśānta-vigraham

upāsyamānaṁ sakhyā ca

bhartrā guhyaka-rakṣasām

Translation

Lord Śiva sat there, surrounded by saintly persons like Kuvera, the master of the Guhyakas, and the four Kumāras, who were already liberated souls. Lord Śiva was grave and saintly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lord Śiva’s Exalted Position

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva sat grave and saintly, surrounded by liberated souls such as the four Kumāras.

  2. 2

    The Kumāras were liberated from birth, while Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods, was fabulously rich. Their association with Lord Śiva indicates his transcendental and material opulences.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva is the qualitative incarnation of the Supreme Lord. His position is therefore very exalted.

Key points from the purport
  • The personalities sitting with Lord Śiva are significant because the four Kumāras were liberated from birth.
  • Thus Lord Śiva’s association with the Kumāras and Kuvera indicates that he has all transcendental and material opulences.
  • Actually, he is the qualitative incarnation of the Supreme Lord; therefore his position is very exalted.

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. sanandana-ādyaiḥthe four Kumāras, headed by Sanandana
  2. mahā-siddhaiḥliberated souls
  3. śāntaiḥsaintly
  4. saṁśānta-vigrahamthe grave and saintly Lord Śiva
  5. upāsyamānamwas being praised
  6. sakhyāby Kuvera
  7. caand
  8. bhartrāby the master
  9. guhyaka-rakṣasāmof the Guhyakas and the Rākṣasas
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “material”

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 Lord Śiva’s saintly company help you appreciate about his position?

Practice

Reread the translation and name two qualities of Lord Śiva that you wish to honor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.6's connections

Live this todayLord Śiva’s Exalted PositionThis 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 4.6.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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