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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
4.8.364.8.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.37

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Dhruva Mahārājasince 4.8.35inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पदं त्रिभुवनोत्कृष्टं जिगीषो: साधु वर्त्म मे ।

ब्रूह्यस्मत्पितृभिर्ब्रह्मन्नन्यैरप्यनधिष्ठितम् ॥ ३७ ॥

padaṁ tri-bhuvanotkṛṣṭaṁ

jigīṣoḥ sādhu vartma me

brūhy asmat-pitṛbhir brahmann

anyair apy anadhiṣṭhitam

Translation

O learned brāhmaṇa, I want to occupy a position more exalted than any yet achieved within the three worlds by anyone, even by my father and grandfather. If you will oblige, kindly advise me of an honest path to follow by which I can achieve the goal of my life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Your Goal Through Honest Means

  1. 1

    Dhruva Mahārāja openly asked for a position greater than that of his father and grandfather, Lord Brahmā. He sought Nārada Muni's guidance toward this extraordinary goal.

  2. 2

    By pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee can achieve even the impossible. Dhruva trusted the blessing and guidance of Nārada, a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Dhruva wanted his position through honest means, not by cheating. A devotee may desire material gain but accepts it only if Kṛṣṇa offers it.

Key points from the purport
  • When Dhruva Mahārāja refused to accept the brahminical instruction of Nārada Muni, naturally the next question would be what sort of instruction he wanted.
  • He wanted to take advantage of Nārada Muni’s presence because he knew very well that if Nārada Muni, the greatest devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, could bless him or show him the path, then certainly he would be able to occupy a more exalted position than any person within the three worlds.
  • Dhruva Mahārāja wanted a position greater than that of Brahmā.

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. padamposition
  2. tri-bhuvanathe three worlds
  3. utkṛṣṭamthe best
  4. jigīṣoḥdesirous
  5. sādhuhonest
  6. vartmaway
  7. meunto me
  8. brūhiplease tell
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to pursue my desires honestly and accept only what Kṛṣṇa offers?

Practice

Review one goal today and choose an honest next step, rejecting any shortcut that involves deception.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Your Goal Through Honest MeansThis 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 4.8.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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