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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
4.9.554.9.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.9.56

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

प्राकारैर्गोपुरागारै: शातकुम्भपरिच्छदै: । सर्वतोऽलड़्क़ृतं श्रीमद्विमानशिखरद्युभि: ॥ ५६ ॥

prākārair gopurāgāraiḥ

śātakumbha-paricchadaiḥ

sarvato ’laṅkṛtaṁ śrīmad-

vimāna-śikhara-dyubhiḥ

Translation

In the capital city there were many palaces, city gates and surrounding walls, which were already very, very beautiful, and on this occasion all of them were decorated with golden ornaments. The domes of the city palaces glittered, as did the domes of the beautiful airplanes which hovered over the city.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Glimpse of Ancient Opulence

  1. 1

    The already beautiful palaces, gates and walls were decorated with golden ornaments. Gold on the palace domes and airplane pinnacles glittered in the sunshine.

  2. 2

    Śrīmad Vijayadhvaja Tīrtha suggests that demigods came from higher planetary systems in their airplanes to bless Dhruva Mahārāja.

  3. 3

    The purport contrasts the golden airplanes of those days with modern airplanes made of base aluminum. This gives a hint of the opulence of Dhruva Mahārāja’s time.

Key points from the purport
  • Regarding the mention of airplanes here, it is suggested by Śrīmad Vijayadhvaja Tīrtha that on this occasion the demigods from higher planetary systems also came in their airplanes to bestow their blessings on Dhruva Mahārāja on his arrival at the capital of his father.
  • It also appears that all the domes of the city palaces as well as the pinnacles of the airplanes were decorated with ornamental work in gold, and, being reflected by the sunshine, they were all glittering.
  • We can observe a specific distinction between Dhruva Mahārāja’s time and modern days, for the airplanes in those days were made of gold, whereas at the present moment airplanes are made of base aluminum.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prākāraiḥwith surrounding walls
  2. gopuracity gates
  3. āgāraiḥwith houses
  4. śātakumbhagolden
  5. paricchadaiḥwith ornamental work
  6. sarvataḥon all sides
  7. alaṅkṛtamdecorated
  8. śrīmatvaluable, beautiful
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “bless”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description challenge your assumptions about wealth in ancient times?

Practice

Write down one contrast the purport makes between ancient and modern opulence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Glimpse of Ancient OpulenceThis 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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