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 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest
4.8.184.8.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.19

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sunītisince 4.8.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura
A turning point forDhruva Mahārāja· Guidance from Sunīti and Nārada

आतिष्ठ तत्तात विमत्सरस्त्वम्

उक्तं समात्रापि यदव्यलीकम् ।

आराधयाधोक्षजपादपद्मं

यदीच्छसेऽध्यासनमुत्तमो यथा ॥ १९ ॥

ātiṣṭha tat tāta vimatsaras tvam

uktaṁ samātrāpi yad avyalīkam

ārādhayādhokṣaja-pāda-padmaṁ

yadīcchase ’dhyāsanam uttamo yathā

Translation

My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at all to sit on the same throne as your stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to execute the instructions of your stepmother. Without further delay, you must engage yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Give Up Envy and Worship the Lord

  1. 1

    Sunīti urged Dhruva Mahārāja to give up envy and immediately worship the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Without the Lord’s favor, one cannot achieve success in life. As the purport says, “Man proposes, God disposes.”

  3. 3

    Suruci’s harsh words indirectly became a benediction because their influence led Dhruva Mahārāja to become a great devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • The harsh words used by Suruci to her stepson were true because unless one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot achieve any success in life.
  • Sunīti, the mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, agreed with her co-wife’s advice that Dhruva engage himself in the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Indirectly, the words of Suruci were a benediction for Dhruva Mahārāja, for because of the influence of his stepmother’s words, he became a great devotee.

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

Rejection → Transformed aspiration. A child's wounded pride is purified by divine encounter.

Chapters 8–12 of Canto 4: Dhruva seeks and encounters the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest

Dhruva leaves home, receives Nārada’s instructions, and worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead with austerity.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ātiṣṭhajust execute
  2. tatthat
  3. tātamy dear son
  4. vimatsaraḥwithout being envious
  5. tvamunto you
  6. uktamsaid
  7. samātrā apiby your stepmother
  8. yatwhatever
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “worshiping”, “devotee”, “worship”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “favor”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I turn a painful experience toward worship instead of envy?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, putting aside an envious thought.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGive Up Envy and Worship the LordThis 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 4.8.19? 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