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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
4.8.554.8.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.56

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

लब्ध्वा द्रव्यमयीमर्चां क्षित्यम्ब्वादिषु वार्चयेत् ।

आभृतात्मा मुनि: शान्तो यतवाङ्‌मितवन्यभुक् ॥ ५६ ॥

labdhvā dravyamayīm arcāṁ

kṣity-ambv-ādiṣu vārcayet

ābhṛtātmā muniḥ śānto

yata-vāṅ mita-vanya-bhuk

Translation

It is possible to worship a form of the Lord made of physical elements such as earth, water, pulp, wood and metal. In the forest one can make a form with no more than earth and water and worship Him according to the above principles. A devotee who has full control over his self should be very sober and peaceful and must be satisfied simply with eating whatever fruits and vegetables are available in the forest.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Personally and Be Content with Prasāda

  1. 1

    Worshiping the Lord’s form is essential; mental meditation and mantra chanting alone are not the whole practice described here. Dhruva Mahārāja was advised to worship a form made from earth and water if other materials were unavailable.

  2. 2

    A devotee should be self-controlled, sober and peaceful. The Lord’s personal form, rather than something impersonal, is the recommended object of worship.

  3. 3

    One should offer the best available food within the fruit and vegetable groups, cooked or uncooked. A devotee eats in a regulated way and is satisfied with available prasāda rather than hankering for particular tastes.

Key points from the purport
  • Dhruva Mahārāja was advised to worship a form made of earth and water because in the jungle, if it is not possible to have a form made of metal, wood or stone, the best process is to take earth mixed with water and make a form of the Lord and worship Him.
  • The devotee should not be anxious about cooking food; whatever is available in the forest or in the city among the fruit and vegetable groups should be offered to the Deity, and the devotee should be satisfied eating that.
  • He should be satisfied to eat whatever prasāda is available by the grace of the Lord.

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. labdhvāby getting
  2. dravya-mayīmmade of physical elements
  3. arcāmworshipable Deity
  4. kṣitiearth
  5. ambuwater
  6. ādiṣubeginning with
  7. vāor
  8. arcayetworship
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: “devotee”, “worship”, “worshiping”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materials”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I be satisfied with available prasāda rather than insisting on my favorite food?

Practice

At one meal today, accept the available prasāda with gratitude and avoid seeking extra food simply to satisfy the tongue.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Personally and Be Content with PrasādaThis 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 4.8.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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