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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
4.8.544.8.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.55

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.8.46inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सलिलै: शुचिभिर्माल्यैर्वन्यैर्मूलफलादिभि: ।

शस्ताङ्कुरांशुकैश्चार्चेत्तुलस्या प्रियया प्रभुम् ॥ ५५ ॥

salilaiḥ śucibhir mālyair

vanyair mūla-phalādibhiḥ

śastāṅkurāṁśukaiś cārcet

tulasyā priyayā prabhum

Translation

One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasī leaves, which are very dear to 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.

Offer Pure, Available Gifts to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Tulasī leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devotees should, as far as possible, arrange to grow tulasī for His worship.

  2. 2

    Worship need not stop because water from the Ganges or Yamunā is unavailable. Any very clear water, collected purely, may be used.

  3. 3

    Flowers, fruits and vegetables should be gathered according to local availability. Offerings to Kṛṣṇa must follow authorized instructions rather than personal whims.

Key points from the purport
  • It is specifically mentioned herein that tulasī leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and devotees should take particular care to have tulasī leaves in every temple and center of worship.
  • Tulasī leaves are very important for satisfying the Lord, so as far as possible an arrangement should be made for growing tulasī leaves.
  • Since these fruits and vegetables are available anywhere in the universe, we should observe this small point very attentively.

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. salilaiḥby use of water
  2. śucibhiḥbeing purified
  3. mālyaiḥby garlands
  4. vanyaiḥof forest flowers
  5. mūlaroots
  6. phala-ādibhiḥby different kinds of vegetables and fruits
  7. śastathe newly grown grass
  8. aṅkurabuds
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: “worship”, “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What pure, suitable offering is already available to me today?

Practice

Collect a little clear water in a clean vessel and offer it to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Pure, Available Gifts to KṛṣṇaThis 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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