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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
4.9.544.9.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.55

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

चूतपल्लववास:स्रङ्‍मुक्तादामविलम्बिभि: । उपस्कृतं प्रतिद्वारमपां कुम्भै: सदीपकै: ॥ ५५ ॥

cūta-pallava-vāsaḥ-sraṅ-

muktā-dāma-vilambibhiḥ

upaskṛtaṁ prati-dvāram

apāṁ kumbhaiḥ sadīpakaiḥ

Translation

At each and every gate there were burning lamps and big waterpots decorated with differently colored cloth, strings of pearls, flower garlands and hanging mango leaves.

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.

Careful Preparations at Every Gate

  1. 1

    Burning lamps and large waterpots stood at every gate.

  2. 2

    The pots were decorated with differently colored cloth, strings of pearls and flower garlands.

  3. 3

    Hanging mango leaves completed the decorations, showing how thoroughly each entrance was prepared.

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. cūta-pallavawith mango leaves
  2. vāsaḥcloth
  3. srakflower garlands
  4. muktā-dāmastrings of pearls
  5. vilambibhiḥhanging
  6. upaskṛtamdecorated
  7. prati-dvāramat every gate
  8. apāmfull of water
  9. kumbhaiḥwith waterpots
  10. sa-dīpakaiḥwith burning lamps
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can small details express care when you welcome someone?

Practice

Make one small improvement to your entrance so that it feels welcoming.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCareful Preparations at Every GateThis 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 4.9.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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