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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
4.9.464.9.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.47

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.9.36inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् गुणैर्मैत्र्यादिभिर्हरि: । तस्मै नमन्ति भूतानि निम्नमाप इव स्वयम् ॥ ४७ ॥

yasya prasanno bhagavān

guṇair maitry-ādibhir hariḥ

tasmai namanti bhūtāni

nimnam āpa iva svayam

Translation

Unto one who has transcendental qualities due to friendly behavior with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living entities offer honor, just as water automatically flows down by nature.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Please the Lord, Not Demand Respect

  1. 1

    Because Dhruva Mahārāja was blessed by the Lord and possessed transcendental qualities, even Suruci wished him good fortune.

  2. 2

    A devotee does not demand respect from anyone. Honor comes naturally, just as water naturally flows downward.

  3. 3

    By pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all emanations, a devotee automatically pleases everyone. The Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana are honored for this reason.

Key points from the purport
  • Since Dhruva Mahārāja was blessed by the Lord, due to his transcendental qualities everyone was bound to offer him all respects and benediction, just as water, by its nature, flows downward.
  • A devotee of the Lord does not demand respect from anyone, but wherever he goes he is honored by everyone throughout the whole world with all respect.
  • Śrīnivāsa Ācārya said that the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana are respected throughout the entire universe because a devotee, having pleased the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all emanations, automatically pleases everyone, and thus everyone offers him respect.

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. yasyaanyone with whom
  2. prasannaḥis pleased
  3. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  4. guṇaiḥby qualities
  5. maitrī-ādibhiḥby friendship, etc.
  6. hariḥLord Hari
  7. tasmaiunto him
  8. namantioffer respect
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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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “friendly”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “blessed”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might you focus more on pleasing the Lord than on receiving respect?

Practice

Do one small act of devotional service today without asking for recognition.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPlease the Lord, Not Demand RespectThis 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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