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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 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa
4.7.364.7.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.37

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The governors of various planetssince 4.7.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

लोकपाला ऊचु:

द‍ृष्ट: किं नो द‍ृग्भिरसद्ग्रहैस्त्वं

प्रत्यग्द्रष्टा द‍ृश्यते येन विश्वम् ।

माया ह्येषा भवदीया हि भूमन्

यस्त्वं षष्ठ: पञ्चभिर्भासि भूतै: ॥ ३७ ॥

lokapālā ūcuḥ

dṛṣṭaḥ kiṁ no dṛgbhir asad-grahais tvaṁ

pratyag-draṣṭā dṛśyate yena viśvam

māyā hy eṣā bhavadīyā hi bhūman

yas tvaṁ ṣaṣṭhaḥ pañcabhir bhāsi bhūtaiḥ

Translation

The governors of various planets spoke as follows: Dear Lord, we believe only in our direct perception, and therefore we see You as a creation of the material world. But under the circumstances we do not know whether we have actually seen You with our material senses. By our material senses we can simply perceive the cosmic manifestation, but You are beyond the five elements. You are the sixth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humility and Love Open Spiritual Vision

  1. 1

    Material senses perceive the cosmic manifestation, but the Lord is beyond the five material elements. Direct material perception cannot establish His transcendental position.

  2. 2

    The planetary governors are materially wealthy and proud. Such pride prevents one from understanding the Lord’s eternal, transcendental form.

  3. 3

    Those whose eyes are anointed with love of Godhead can see Him in every step of their activities. Those free from material pride can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The governors of the various planets are certainly materially opulent and very puffed up.
  • In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is stated that only persons who have anointed their eyes with love of Godhead can see the Personality of Godhead in every step of their activities.
  • Also, in the prayers of Kuntī (Bhāg. 1.8.26) it is stated that only those who are akiñcana-gocaram, who are not materially puffed up, can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead; others are bewildered and cannot even think of the Absolute Truth.

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 4.7.37 quotesSB 1.8.26

Also, in the prayers of Kuntī it is stated that only those who are akiñcana-gocaram, who are not materially puffed up, can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead; others are bewildered and cannot even think of the Absolute Truth.

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 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa

Lord Śiva is pacified, Dakṣa acknowledges his offense, and Lord Viṣṇu accepts the sacrifice.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. loka-pālāḥthe governors of the different planets
  2. ūcuḥsaid
  3. dṛṣṭaḥseen
  4. kimwhether
  5. naḥby us
  6. dṛgbhiḥby the material senses
  7. asat-grahaiḥrevealing the cosmic manifestation
  8. tvamYou
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “material”, “wealthy”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “pride”, “proud”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “governors”

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 material advantage or achievement might be making me feel too proud to approach the Lord humbly?

Practice

Notice one source of pride today and offer a brief prayer for humility and love of Godhead.

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.

The purport quotesSB 1.8.26

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.7's connections

Live this todayHumility and Love Open Spiritual VisionThis 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 4.7.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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