1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.8.724.8.74

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.73

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.8.70inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

द्वितीयं च तथा मासं षष्ठे षष्ठेऽर्भको दिने ।

तृणपर्णादिभि: शीर्णै: कृतान्नोऽभ्यर्चयन्विभुम् ॥ ७३ ॥

dvitīyaṁ ca tathā māsaṁ

ṣaṣṭhe ṣaṣṭhe ’rbhako dine

tṛṇa-parṇādibhiḥ śīrṇaiḥ

kṛtānno ’bhyarcayan vibhum

Translation

In the second month Dhruva Mahārāja ate only every six days, and for his eatables he took dry grass and leaves. Thus he continued his worship.

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.

Dhruva Continues His Worship

  1. 1

    In the second month, Dhruva Mahārāja ate only every six days.

  2. 2

    His food consisted of dry grass and leaves.

  3. 3

    Throughout this austerity, he continued his worship. Worship remained central to his practice.

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. dvitīyamthe next month
  2. caalso
  3. tathāas mentioned above
  4. māsammonth
  5. ṣaṣṭhe ṣaṣṭheevery sixth day
  6. arbhakaḥthe innocent boy
  7. dineon days
  8. tṛṇa-parṇa-ādibhiḥby grasses and leaves
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”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What helps me remain steady in worship?

Practice

Set aside a short time today for worship and keep that appointment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDhruva Continues His WorshipThis 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 4.8.73? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories