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 9: Dhruva Mahārāja Returns Home
4.9.134.9.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.14

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Dhruva Mahārājasince 4.9.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कल्पान्त एतदखिलं जठरेण गृह्णन्

शेते पुमान्स्वद‍ृगनन्तसखस्तदङ्के ।

यन्नाभिसिन्धुरुहकाञ्चनलोकपद्म-

गर्भे द्युमान्भगवते प्रणतोऽस्मि तस्मै ॥ १४ ॥

kalpānta etad akhilaṁ jaṭhareṇa gṛhṇan

śete pumān sva-dṛg ananta-sakhas tad-aṅke

yan-nābhi-sindhu-ruha-kāñcana-loka-padma-

garbhe dyumān bhagavate praṇato ’smi tasmai

Translation

My dear Lord, at the end of each millennium the Supreme Personality of Godhead Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu dissolves everything manifested within the universe into His belly. He lies down on the lap of Śeṣa Nāga, from His navel sprouts a golden lotus flower on a stem, and on that lotus Lord Brahmā is created. I can understand that You are the same Supreme Godhead. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Mercy Gives Complete Understanding

  1. 1

    Knowledge received through the Lord’s causeless mercy is complete. Although Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu stood before Dhruva Mahārāja, Dhruva also understood Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kāraṇodakaśāyī (Mahā) Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    At the end of each millennium, everything manifested within the universe enters Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. He rests on Śeṣa Nāga, and Lord Brahmā appears on the golden lotus sprouting from His navel.

  3. 3

    Even a little of the Lord’s grace enables one to understand His glories, whereas speculation alone cannot reveal Him. Contact with a devotee is necessary to understand His transcendental form and spiritual activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu was present before Dhruva Mahārāja, who could also understand the Lord’s two other forms, namely Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kāraṇodakaśāyī (Mahā) Viṣṇu.
  • At the end of each and every millennium, when all the material worlds are dissolved, everything enters the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who is lying on the lap of Śeṣa Nāga, another form of the Lord.
  • Those who are not devotees cannot understand the different forms of Viṣṇu and their positions in regard to the creation.

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 9: Dhruva Mahārāja Returns Home

The Lord grants Dhruva’s desire; Dhruva regrets his former hostility and returns to his family.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kalpa-anteat the end of the millennium
  2. etatthis universe
  3. akhilamall
  4. jaṭhareṇawithin the belly
  5. gṛhṇanwithdrawing
  6. śetelies down
  7. pumānthe Supreme Person
  8. sva-dṛklooking upon Himself
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”, “causeless”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “understand”, “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How willing am I to learn about the Lord’s forms through devotees rather than speculation alone?

Practice

Read this verse’s description of the Lord once more, then offer Him respectful obeisances as Dhruva Mahārāja did.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Gives Complete UnderstandingThis 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 4.9.14? 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