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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
4.9.254.9.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.9.26inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इत्यर्चित: स भगवानतिदिश्यात्मन: पदम् ।

बालस्य पश्यतो धाम स्वमगाद्गरुडध्वज: ॥ २६ ॥

maitreya uvāca

ity arcitaḥ sa bhagavān

atidiśyātmanaḥ padam

bālasya paśyato dhāma

svam agād garuḍa-dhvajaḥ

Translation

The great sage Maitreya said: After being worshiped and honored by the boy [Dhruva Mahārāja], and after offering him His abode, Lord Viṣṇu, on the back of Garuḍa, returned to His abode as Dhruva Mahārāja looked on.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Offers His Own Abode

  1. 1

    Dhruva Mahārāja worshiped and honored Lord Viṣṇu. The Lord accepted the boy's worship and offered him His abode.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that Lord Viṣṇu awarded Dhruva Mahārāja the same abode in which He Himself resides.

  3. 3

    After offering this gift, Lord Viṣṇu returned to His abode on the back of Garuḍa. Dhruva Mahārāja looked on as He departed.

Key points from the purport
  • From this verse it appears that Lord Viṣṇu awarded Dhruva Mahārāja the same abode in which He resides.
  • His abode is described in the Bhagavad-gītā (15.6): yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama.

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 4.9.26 quotesBG 15.6

His abode is described in the Bhagavad-gītā (15.6): yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya continued to speak
  2. itithus
  3. arcitaḥbeing honored and worshiped
  4. saḥthe Supreme Lord
  5. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  6. atidiśyaafter offering
  7. ātmanaḥHis personal
  8. padamresidence
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the Lord's gift to Dhruva Mahārāja reveal to me about His kindness?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of honor to Lord Viṣṇu, remembering His kindness to Dhruva Mahārāja.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Offers His Own AbodeThis 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 4.9.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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