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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
4.9.334.9.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.34

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.9.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मयैतत्प्रार्थितं व्यर्थं चिकित्सेव गतायुषि । प्रसाद्य जगदात्मानं तपसा दुष्प्रसादनम् । भवच्छिदमयाचेऽहं भवं भाग्यविवर्जित: ॥ ३४ ॥

mayaitat prārthitaṁ vyarthaṁ

cikitseva gatāyuṣi

prasādya jagad-ātmānaṁ

tapasā duṣprasādanam

bhava-cchidam ayāce ’haṁ

bhavaṁ bhāgya-vivarjitaḥ

Translation

It is very difficult to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but in my case, although I have satisfied the Supersoul of the whole universe, I have prayed only for useless things. My activities were exactly like treatment given to a person who is already dead. Just see how unfortunate I am, for in spite of meeting the Supreme Lord, who can cut one’s link with birth and death, I have prayed for the same conditions again.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Exchange Service for Rewards

  1. 1

    Dhruva had satisfied the Supersoul of the whole universe, yet he regretted praying for useless things. He compared his request to treating someone already dead.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord can cut the link with birth and death. Dhruva lamented that he had instead asked for the same material conditions again.

  3. 3

    Desiring material benefits in exchange for loving service is not the proper way to practice devotional service. Dhruva regretted acting in this way out of ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes it so happens that a devotee engaged in the loving service of the Lord desires some material benefit in exchange for this service.
  • This is not the proper way to discharge devotional service.
  • Out of ignorance, of course, sometimes a devotee does so, but Dhruva Mahārāja regrets his personal behavior in this connection.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mayāby me
  2. etatthis
  3. prārthitamprayed for
  4. vyarthamuselessly
  5. cikitsātreatment
  6. ivalike
  7. gatahas ended
  8. āyuṣifor one whose life
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I expect a material reward in return for my service to the Lord?

Practice

Offer one brief prayer today for loving service, without attaching a request for material benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Exchange Service for RewardsThis 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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