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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
4.8.84.8.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.8.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एकदा सुरुचे: पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य लालयन् ।

उत्तमं नारुरुक्षन्तं ध्रुवं राजाभ्यनन्दत ॥ ९ ॥

ekadā suruceḥ putram

aṅkam āropya lālayan

uttamaṁ nārurukṣantaṁ

dhruvaṁ rājābhyanandata

Translation

Once upon a time, King Uttānapāda was patting the son of Suruci, Uttama, placing him on his lap. Dhruva Mahārāja was also trying to get on the King’s lap, but the King did not very much welcome him.

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 Is Not Warmly Welcomed

  1. 1

    King Uttānapāda placed Uttama, the son of Suruci, on his lap.

  2. 2

    The King was affectionately patting Uttama.

  3. 3

    Dhruva Mahārāja also tried to climb onto his father’s lap, but the King did not warmly welcome him.

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. ekadāonce upon a time
  2. suruceḥof Queen Suruci
  3. putramthe son
  4. aṅkamon the lap
  5. āropyaplacing
  6. lālayanwhile patting
  7. uttamamUttama
  8. nadid not
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “father’s”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Have I overlooked someone seeking a little affection or attention?

Practice

Offer a warm welcome today to someone who is seeking your attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDhruva Is Not Warmly WelcomedThis 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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