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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
4.9.34.9.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.4

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.9.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स तं विवक्षन्तमतद्विदं हरि-

र्ज्ञात्वास्य सर्वस्य च हृद्यवस्थित: ।

कृताञ्जलिं ब्रह्ममयेन कम्बुना

पस्पर्श बालं कृपया कपोले ॥ ४ ॥

sa taṁ vivakṣantam atad-vidaṁ harir

jñātvāsya sarvasya ca hṛdy avasthitaḥ

kṛtāñjaliṁ brahmamayena kambunā

pasparśa bālaṁ kṛpayā kapole

Translation

Although Dhruva Mahārāja was a small boy, he wanted to offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in suitable language. But because he was inexperienced, he could not adjust himself immediately. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being situated in everyone’s heart, could understand Dhruva Mahārāja’s awkward position. Out of His causeless mercy He touched His conchshell to the forehead of Dhruva Mahārāja, who stood before Him with folded hands.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Gives Intelligence to Glorify Him

  1. 1

    Devotees eagerly hear and glorify the Lord’s transcendental qualities, yet humility may make them hesitant. Dhruva Mahārāja wanted to pray but lacked experience.

  2. 2

    Situated in everyone’s heart, the Lord gives intelligence to those constantly engaged in His loving service. Out of causeless mercy, He touched Dhruva’s forehead with His conchshell and inspired him.

  3. 3

    Such transcendental inspiration produces sound corresponding to the Vedas. The Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, although written in ordinary letters, should not be considered material sound.

Key points from the purport
  • The Personality of Godhead, being situated in everyone’s heart, specifically gives a devotee intelligence to describe Him.
  • It is therefore understood that when a devotee writes or speaks about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his words are dictated by the Lord from within.
  • When Dhruva Mahārāja felt hesitant, not knowing how to describe the Lord for want of sufficient experience, the Lord, out of His causeless mercy, touched His conchshell to Dhruva’s forehead, and he was transcendentally inspired.

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. saḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. tamDhruva Mahārāja
  3. vivakṣantamwanting to offer prayers describing His qualities
  4. a-tat-vidamnot experienced at that
  5. hariḥthe Personality of Godhead
  6. jñātvāhaving understood
  7. asyaof Dhruva Mahārāja
  8. sarvasyaof everyone
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: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When you feel unable to glorify the Lord, how can you turn toward His mercy?

Practice

Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra attentively for one minute, remembering that its sound is not material.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Gives Intelligence to Glorify HimThis 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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