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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 9: Dhruva Mahārāja Returns Home
4.9.474.9.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.48

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

उत्तमश्च ध्रुवश्चोभावन्योन्यं प्रेमविह्वलौ । अङ्गसङ्गादुत्पुलकावस्रौघं मुहुरूहतु: ॥ ४८ ॥

uttamaś ca dhruvaś cobhāv

anyonyaṁ prema-vihvalau

aṅga-saṅgād utpulakāv

asraughaṁ muhur ūhatuḥ

Translation

The two brothers Uttama and Dhruva Mahārāja also exchanged their tears. They were overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love and affection, and when they embraced one another, the hair on their bodies stood up.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brothers United in Loving Affection

  1. 1

    Uttama and Dhruva Mahārāja embraced one another as brothers.

  2. 2

    Both were overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love and affection and exchanged tears.

  3. 3

    Their affection was so intense that the hair on their bodies stood up as they embraced.

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. uttamaḥ caalso Uttama
  2. dhruvaḥ caDhruva also
  3. ubhauboth
  4. anyonyamone another
  5. prema-vihvalaubeing overwhelmed with affection
  6. aṅga-saṅgātby embracing
  7. utpulakautheir hair stood up
  8. asraof tears
3

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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstasy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does this reunion show you about openly expressing affection?

Practice

Reach out to a sibling or someone close to you with a warm expression of affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrothers United in Loving AffectionThis 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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