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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
4.8.384.8.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.8.39inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इत्युदाहृतमाकर्ण्य भगवान्नारदस्तदा ।

प्रीत: प्रत्याह तं बालं सद्वाक्यमनुकम्पया ॥ ३९ ॥

maitreya uvāca

ity udāhṛtam ākarṇya

bhagavān nāradas tadā

prītaḥ pratyāha taṁ bālaṁ

sad-vākyam anukampayā

Translation

The sage Maitreya continued: The great personality Nārada Muni, upon hearing the words of Dhruva Mahārāja, became very compassionate toward him, and in order to show him his causeless mercy, he gave him the following expert advice.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Compassion Responds With Helpful Guidance

  1. 1

    After hearing Dhruva Mahārāja's words, Nārada Muni became compassionate toward him.

  2. 2

    As the foremost spiritual master, Nārada seeks to bestow the greatest benefit upon everyone he meets.

  3. 3

    Although Dhruva's demand was that of a playful child, Nārada did not withhold his mercy. He offered expert advice for the boy's welfare.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the great sage Nārada is the foremost spiritual master, naturally his only activity is to bestow the greatest benefit upon whomever he meets.
  • Dhruva Mahārāja, however, was a child, and so his demand was also that of a playful child.
  • Still, the great sage became compassionate toward him, and for his welfare he spoke the following verses.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācathe sage Maitreya continued
  2. itithus
  3. udāhṛtambeing spoken
  4. ākarṇyahearing
  5. bhagavān nāradaḥthe great personality Nārada
  6. tadāthereupon
  7. prītaḥbeing pleased
  8. pratyāhareplied
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassionate”, “welfare”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I respond compassionately when someone's wishes seem immature?

Practice

Listen patiently to one person's concern today before offering any advice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion Responds With Helpful GuidanceThis 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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