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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
4.8.664.8.68

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.67

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 4.8.65inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अहो मे बत दौरात्म्यं स्त्रीजितस्योपधारय ।

योऽङ्कं प्रेम्णारुरुक्षन्तं नाभ्यनन्दमसत्तम: ॥ ६७ ॥

aho me bata daurātmyaṁ

strī-jitasyopadhāraya

yo ’ṅkaṁ premṇārurukṣantaṁ

nābhyanandam asattamaḥ

Translation

Alas, just see how I was conquered by my wife! Just imagine my cruelty! Out of love and affection the boy was trying to get up on my lap, but I did not receive him, nor did I even pat him for a moment. Just imagine how hardhearted I am.

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.

Do Not Withhold Loving Affection

  1. 1

    The King lamented that he had been conquered by his wife and had acted cruelly.

  2. 2

    His son had tried to climb onto his lap out of love and affection, but the King had not welcomed him.

  3. 3

    He regretted not even patting the boy for a moment and openly acknowledged his own hardheartedness.

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. ahoalas
  2. memy
  3. batacertainly
  4. daurātmyamcruelty
  5. strī-jitasyaconquered by a woman
  6. upadhārayajust think of me in this regard
  7. yaḥwho
  8. aṅkamlap
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “love”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “lamented”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Have I overlooked a simple, sincere request for affection?

Practice

Give someone close to you a moment of warm, undivided attention today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Withhold Loving AffectionThis 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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