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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
4.9.484.9.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.49

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

सुनीतिरस्य जननी प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियं सुतम् । उपगुह्य जहावाधिं तदङ्गस्पर्शनिर्वृता ॥ ४९ ॥

sunītir asya jananī

prāṇebhyo ’pi priyaṁ sutam

upaguhya jahāv ādhiṁ

tad-aṅga-sparśa-nirvṛtā

Translation

Sunīti, the real mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, embraced the tender body of her son, who was dearer to her than her own life, and thus forgot all material grief, for she was very pleased.

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.

Sunīti’s Joy Dispels Her Grief

  1. 1

    Dhruva Mahārāja was dearer to Sunīti than her own life.

  2. 2

    She embraced the tender body of her beloved son.

  3. 3

    So pleased was Sunīti by this embrace that she forgot all material grief.

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. sunītiḥSunīti, the real mother of Dhruva Mahārāja
  2. asyahis
  3. jananīmother
  4. prāṇebhyaḥmore than life air
  5. apieven
  6. priyamdear
  7. sutamson
  8. upaguhyaembracing
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “mother”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What touches you most about Sunīti’s love for her son?

Practice

Take a moment today to express appreciation for someone who has cared for you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySunīti’s Joy Dispels Her GriefThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.9.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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