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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 9: Dhruva Mahārāja Returns Home
4.9.184.9.20-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.19

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 4.9.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वेदाहं ते व्यवसितं हृदि राजन्यबालक ।

तत्प्रयच्छामि भद्रं ते दुरापमपि सुव्रत ॥ १९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

vedāhaṁ te vyavasitaṁ

hṛdi rājanya-bālaka

tat prayacchāmi bhadraṁ te

durāpam api suvrata

Translation

The Personality of Godhead said: My dear Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed pious vows, and I also know the desire within your heart. Although your desire is very ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall favor you with its fulfillment. All good fortune unto you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Knows His Devotee’s Heart

  1. 1

    The Lord knew Dhruva Mahārāja’s ambitious desire and promised to fulfill it. He mercifully wished him all good fortune.

  2. 2

    Dhruva feared that seeking material benefit was hampering his progress toward love of God. Attachment to material pleasure keeps one from being attracted to devotional service.

  3. 3

    The Lord assured Dhruva that he would not lose the Lord’s love, knowing that opulence would not divert him from devotion. This was a special case, not the usual way the Lord deals with a pure devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord is so merciful to His devotee that He immediately said to Dhruva Mahārāja, “Let there be all good fortune for you.”
  • The Lord assured Dhruva Mahārāja that Dhruva would not be bereft of the Lord’s love.
  • The Lord knew that he was such a great devotee that in spite of having material opulence he would never be deviated from love of God.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.9.19 quotesBG 2.44

In the Bhagavad-gītā (2.44) it is said, bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānām: those who are addicted to material pleasure cannot be attracted to devotional service.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Personality of Godhead said
  2. vedaknow
  3. ahamI
  4. teyour
  5. vyavasitamdetermination
  6. hṛdiwithin the heart
  7. rājanya-bālakaO son of the King
  8. tatthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “favor”, “mercifully”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is any desire for comfort or status weakening my attraction to devotional service?

Practice

Identify one material ambition and offer a prayer that it may not divert you from love of God.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Knows His Devotee’s HeartThis 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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