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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
4.9.344.9.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.35

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

वाराज्यं यच्छतो मौढ्यान्मानो मे भिक्षितो बत । ईश्वरात्क्षीणपुण्येन फलीकारानिवाधन: ॥ ३५ ॥

svārājyaṁ yacchato mauḍhyān

māno me bhikṣito bata

īśvarāt kṣīṇa-puṇyena

phalī-kārān ivādhanaḥ

Translation

Because of my state of complete foolishness and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only a few broken grains of husked rice.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Real Independence Means Serving Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Real independence means being situated in our original position as servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It comes through surrender to Kṛṣṇa, not through struggling for material control.

  2. 2

    The living entity’s freedom rests in dependence on the Lord, like a child freely playing under parental care. Trying to become independent in the material world cannot bring happiness.

  3. 3

    Dhruva compared asking for prosperity to begging a great emperor for a few broken grains of rice. Pure devotees ask only for the privilege of serving the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The real independence of a living entity, who is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to remain always dependent on the Supreme Lord, just like a child who plays in complete independence, guided by his parents, who watch over him.
  • Real independence is to be reinstated in the service of the Lord.
  • The conclusion is that anyone who is engaged in the loving service of the Lord should never ask for material prosperity from the Lord.

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. svārājyamHis devotional service
  2. yacchataḥfrom the Lord, who was willing to offer
  3. mauḍhyātby foolishness
  4. mānaḥmaterial prosperity
  5. meby me
  6. bhikṣitaḥwas asked for
  7. bataalas
  8. īśvarātfrom a great emperor
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “emperor”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “child”, “parental”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I mistaking material control for real independence?

Practice

Pray today for the privilege of serving Kṛṣṇa rather than for greater prosperity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReal Independence Means Serving KṛṣṇaThis 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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