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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 9: Dhruva Mahārāja Returns Home
4.9.524.9.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.53

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.9.53inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

लाल्यमानं जनैरेवं ध्रुवं सभ्रातरं नृप: । आरोप्य करिणीं हृष्ट: स्तूयमानोऽविशत्पुरम् ॥ ५३ ॥

lālyamānaṁ janair evaṁ

dhruvaṁ sabhrātaraṁ nṛpaḥ

āropya kariṇīṁ hṛṣṭaḥ

stūyamāno ’viśat puram

Translation

The sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when everyone was thus praising Dhruva Mahārāja, the King was very happy, and he had Dhruva and his brother seated on the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned to his capital, where he was praised by all classes of men.

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.

A Joyful Return Together

  1. 1

    The people praised Dhruva Mahārāja, and the King was very happy.

  2. 2

    The King seated Dhruva and his brother together on the back of a she-elephant.

  3. 3

    The King returned to his capital, where all classes of people praised him.

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. lālyamānambeing thus praised
  2. janaiḥby the people in general
  3. evamthus
  4. dhruvamMahārāja Dhruva
  5. sa-bhrātaramwith his brother
  6. nṛpaḥthe King
  7. āropyaplacing
  8. kariṇīmon the back of a she-elephant
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you share in someone else’s happiness without seeking attention yourself?

Practice

Offer a sincere word of appreciation to someone today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Joyful Return TogetherThis 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 4.9.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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