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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada
1.4.91.4.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.4.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

स सम्राट् कस्य वा हेतो: पाण्डूनां मानवर्धन: ।

प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनाद‍ृत्याधिराट्‌श्रियम् ॥ १० ॥

sa samrāṭ kasya vā hetoḥ

pāṇḍūnāṁ māna-vardhanaḥ

prāyopaviṣṭo gaṅgāyām

anādṛtyādhirāṭ-śriyam

Translation

He was a great emperor and possessed all the opulences of his acquired kingdom. He was so exalted that he was increasing the prestige of the Pāṇḍu dynasty. Why did he give up everything to sit down on the bank of the Ganges and fast until death?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Inquire Into Remarkable Renunciation

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit inherited an empire encompassing the world and its seas and oceans. He did not have to acquire it through his own effort.

  2. 2

    He governed well and upheld the good name of his forefathers. There was nothing undesirable in his opulence or administration.

  3. 3

    His decision to leave these favorable circumstances and fast until death on the bank of the Ganges was astonishing. The assembly therefore eagerly asked why he had done so.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit was the Emperor of the world and all the seas and oceans, and he did not have to take the trouble to acquire such a kingdom by his own effort.
  • Then why should he give up all these favorable circumstances and sit down on the bank of the Ganges, fasting till death?
  • This is astonishing, and therefore all were eager to know the cause.

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

Dissatisfaction → Inspired clarity. Even great accomplishment leaves Vyāsa without contentment until devotion is centered.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 1: Vyāsa is dissatisfied; Nārada directs him to the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada

The sages inquire about Parīkṣit, while Sūta describes Vyāsadeva’s division of the Vedas and dissatisfaction.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. samrāṭthe Emperor
  3. kasyafor what
  4. vāor
  5. hetoḥreason
  6. pāṇḍūnāmof the sons of Pāṇḍu
  7. māna-vardhanaḥone who enriches the family
  8. prāya-upaviṣṭaḥsitting and fasting
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “kingdom”, “emperor”, “governed”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “death”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I remain curious about a remarkable spiritual decision instead of assuming I already understand its cause?

Practice

Write down the assembly's question about Mahārāja Parīkṣit's renunciation, leaving it open until the text explains the reason.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInquire Into Remarkable RenunciationThis 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 1.4.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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