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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
4.9.574.9.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.9.58-59

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

ध्रुवाय पथि द‍ृष्टाय तत्र तत्र पुरस्त्रिय: । सिद्धार्थाक्षतदध्यम्बुदूर्वापुष्पफलानि च ॥ ५८ ॥ उपजह्रु: प्रयुञ्जाना वात्सल्यादाशिष: सती: । श‍ृण्वंस्तद्वल्गुगीतानि प्राविशद्भवनं पितु: ॥ ५९ ॥

dhruvāya pathi dṛṣṭāya

tatra tatra pura-striyaḥ

siddhārthākṣata-dadhy-ambu-

dūrvā-puṣpa-phalāni ca

upajahruḥ prayuñjānā

vātsalyād āśiṣaḥ satīḥ

śṛṇvaṁs tad-valgu-gītāni

prāviśad bhavanaṁ pituḥ

Translation

Thus as Dhruva Mahārāja passed on the road, from every place in the neighborhood all the gentle household ladies assembled to see him, and out of maternal affection they offered their blessings, showering him with white mustard seed, barley, curd, water, newly grown grass, fruits and flowers. In this way Dhruva Mahārāja, while hearing the pleasing songs sung by the ladies, entered the palace of his father.

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 Welcome Filled With Maternal Affection

  1. 1

    The gentle household ladies gathered throughout the neighborhood to see Dhruva Mahārāja as he passed.

  2. 2

    Out of maternal affection, they offered blessings and showered him with mustard seed, barley, curd, water, grass, fruits and flowers.

  3. 3

    Dhruva Mahārāja entered his father’s palace while listening to the ladies’ pleasing songs.

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. dhruvāyaon Dhruva
  2. pathion the road
  3. dṛṣṭāyaseen
  4. tatra tatrahere and there
  5. pura-striyaḥhousehold ladies
  6. siddhārthawhite mustard seed
  7. akṣatabarley
  8. dadhicurd
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”, “father’s”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.9

    In this verse: “blessings”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can your words express genuine affection for someone today?

Practice

Speak a heartfelt blessing or kind wish to someone you welcome.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Welcome Filled With Maternal 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.9.58-59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.