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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest
4.8.304.8.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.31

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.8.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मुनय: पदवीं यस्य नि:सङ्गेनोरुजन्मभि: ।

न विदुर्मृगयन्तोऽपि तीव्रयोगसमाधिना ॥ ३१ ॥

munayaḥ padavīṁ yasya

niḥsaṅgenoru-janmabhiḥ

na vidur mṛgayanto ’pi

tīvra-yoga-samādhinā

Translation

Nārada Muni continued: After trying this process for many, many births and remaining unattached to material contamination, placing themselves continually in trance and executing many types of austerities, many mystic yogīs were unable to find the end of the path of God realization.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

God Realization Is Not Easily Attained

  1. 1

    Nārada Muni describes mystic yogīs who searched for God realization through many, many births.

  2. 2

    They remained unattached to material contamination, continually entered trance, and performed many kinds of austerities.

  3. 3

    Even with these efforts, many could not find the end of the path of God realization.

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. munayaḥgreat sages
  2. padavīmpath
  3. yasyawhose
  4. niḥsaṅgenaby detachment
  5. uru-janmabhiḥafter many births
  6. nanever
  7. viduḥunderstood
  8. mṛgayantaḥsearching for
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description help me approach God realization with humility?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, noting the patience and effort involved in seeking God realization.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGod Realization Is Not Easily AttainedThis 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 4.8.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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