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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
1.4.101.4.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.11

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

नमन्ति यत्पादनिकेतमात्मन:

शिवायहानीय धनानि शत्रव: ।

कथं स वीर: श्रियमङ्ग दुस्त्यजां

युवैषतोत्स्रष्टुमहो सहासुभि: ॥ ११ ॥

namanti yat-pāda-niketam ātmanaḥ

śivāya hānīya dhanāni śatravaḥ

kathaṁ sa vīraḥ śriyam aṅga dustyajāṁ

yuvaiṣatotsraṣṭum aho sahāsubhiḥ

Translation

He was such a great emperor that all his enemies would come and bow down at his feet and surrender all their wealth for their own benefit. He was full of youth and strength, and he possessed kingly opulences that were difficult to give up. Why did he want to give up everything, including his life?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Why Give Up a Prosperous Kingdom?

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit was young, strong and powerful. Even his enemies bowed at his feet and surrendered their wealth for their own benefit.

  2. 2

    He was a pious king, and his kingdom was full of prosperity. There was enough milk, grains and metals, so materially everything was satisfactory.

  3. 3

    There was no apparent reason for him to give up his kingdom and life so early. The sages were eager to understand why he did so.

Key points from the purport
  • There was no difficulty in collecting the state taxes because he was so powerful and chivalrous that even his enemies would come to him and bow down at his feet and surrender all wealth for their own benefit.
  • He conquered his enemies, and therefore the kingdom was full of prosperity.
  • Therefore, there was no question of untimely giving up his kingdom and life.

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. namantibow down
  2. yat-pādawhose feet
  3. niketamunder
  4. ātmanaḥown
  5. śivāyawelfare
  6. hānīyaused to bring about
  7. dhanāniwealth
  8. śatravaḥenemies
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: “kingly”, “emperor”, “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “wealth”, “materially”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “surrender”, “surrendered”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to ask sincere questions when someone's decision seems difficult to understand?

Practice

Write down the sages' central question in your own words, leaving it open as you continue studying.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWhy Give Up a Prosperous Kingdom?This 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 1.4.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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