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
4.8.294.8.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.30

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.8.27inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अथ मात्रोपदिष्टेन योगेनावरुरुत्ससि ।

यत्प्रसादं स वै पुंसां दुराराध्यो मतो मम ॥ ३० ॥

atha mātropadiṣṭena

yogenāvarurutsasi

yat-prasādaṁ sa vai puṁsāṁ

durārādhyo mato mama

Translation

Now you have decided to undertake the mystic process of meditation under the instruction of your mother, just to achieve the mercy of the Lord, but in my opinion such austerities are not possible for any ordinary man. It is very difficult to satisfy 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.

Sincerity Makes Devotional Service Easy

  1. 1

    Nārada warned Dhruva that the austerities he intended to undertake were difficult for an ordinary person. In doing so, he was testing Dhruva’s determination.

  2. 2

    Nārada had come under the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s direction to initiate Dhruva. Testing determination is part of accepting a disciple.

  3. 3

    Bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy. Devotional service is easy for a sincere person but difficult for one who lacks sincerity and determination.

Key points from the purport
  • The process of bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy to perform.
  • The great sage Nārada has come to Dhruva under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead just to initiate him, yet he is testing Dhruva’s determination to execute the process.
  • But for one who is not determined and sincere, this process is very difficult.

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. athatherefore
  2. mātrāby your mother
  3. upadiṣṭenabeing instructed
  4. yogenaby mystic meditation
  5. avarurutsasiwant to elevate yourself
  6. yat-prasādamwhose mercy
  7. saḥthat
  8. vaicertainly
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: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “mother”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How steady is my determination to serve when the process seems difficult?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and complete it sincerely, even if you feel reluctant.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincerity Makes Devotional Service EasyThis 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 4.8.30? 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