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
4.6.484.6.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.49

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 4.6.42inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भवांस्तु पुंस: परमस्य मायया

दुरन्तयास्पृष्टमति: समस्तद‍ृक् ।

तया हतात्मस्वनुकर्मचेत:-

स्वनुग्रहं कर्तुमिहार्हसि प्रभो ॥ ४९ ॥

bhavāṁs tu puṁsaḥ paramasya māyayā

durantayāspṛṣṭa-matiḥ samasta-dṛk

tayā hatātmasv anukarma-cetaḥsv

anugrahaṁ kartum ihārhasi prabho

Translation

My dear lord, you are never bewildered by the formidable influence of the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you are omniscient and should be merciful and compassionate toward those who are bewildered by the same illusory energy and are very much attached to fruitive activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Help Others Beyond Māyā

  1. 1

    A Vaiṣṇava is not bewildered by the external energy because he is engaged in transcendental loving service. Those who surrender to the Lord can cross beyond His otherwise insurmountable māyā.

  2. 2

    Instead of becoming angry with those bewildered by māyā, a Vaiṣṇava should care for them. The mercy of devotees rescues fallen conditioned souls.

  3. 3

    Those under illusion are attracted to activities for material results. A Vaiṣṇava preacher attracts their hearts to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • A Vaiṣṇava is never bewildered by the influence of the external energy because he is engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
  • A Vaiṣṇava should take care of those who are bewildered by this māyā instead of becoming angry with them, because without a Vaiṣṇava’s mercy they have no way to get out of the clutches of māyā.
  • Those who are under the influence of the illusory energy are attracted to fruitive activities, but a Vaiṣṇava preacher attracts their hearts to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.6.49 quotesBG 7.14

The Lord states in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14): “My divine energy consisting of the three modes of material nature is difficult to overcome.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. bhavānYour Lordship
  2. tubut
  3. puṁsaḥof the person
  4. paramasyathe supreme
  5. māyayāby the material energy
  6. durantayāof great potency
  7. aspṛṣṭaunaffected
  8. matiḥintelligence
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: “attached”, “illusion”, “māyā”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “compassionate”

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

How could you replace anger toward someone's material attachment with compassionate care?

Practice

Share one encouraging thought about loving service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa with someone willing to hear.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHelp Others Beyond MāyāThis 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 4.6.49? 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