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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 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest
4.8.244.8.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.8.24inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नारदस्तदुपाकर्ण्य ज्ञात्वा तस्य चिकीर्षितम् ।

स्पृष्ट्वा मूर्धन्यघघ्नेन पाणिना प्राह विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥

nāradas tad upākarṇya

jñātvā tasya cikīrṣitam

spṛṣṭvā mūrdhany agha-ghnena

pāṇinā prāha vismitaḥ

Translation

The great sage Nārada overheard this news, and understanding all the activities of Dhruva Mahārāja, he was struck with wonder. He approached Dhruva, and touching the boy’s head with his all-virtuous hand, he spoke as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Determination Draws the Lord’s Help

  1. 1

    Nārada understood Dhruva’s determination even though he had not been present during the conversation with Sunīti. He is trikāla-jña, able to understand the past, present, and future.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is present in everyone’s heart. When He sees that someone is serious about devotional service, He sends His representative.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supersoul, sent Nārada to initiate Dhruva. By the grace of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one can enter devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the question may be raised how Nārada overheard all these topics.
  • The answer is that Nārada is trikāla-jña; he is so powerful that he can understand the past, future and present of everyone’s heart, just like the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In this way Nārada was sent to Dhruva Mahārāja.

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. nāradaḥthe great sage Nārada
  2. tatthat
  3. upākarṇyaoverhearing
  4. jñātvāand knowing
  5. tasyahis (Dhruva Mahārāja’s)
  6. cikīrṣitamactivities
  7. spṛṣṭvāby touching
  8. mūrdhanion the head
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “understanding”, “understand”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “grace”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How serious am I about entering devotional service and receiving spiritual guidance?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa today for sincerity in devotional service and help through His representative.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Determination Draws the Lord’s HelpThis 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.

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