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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu
4.1.24.1.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.1.3

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.1.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

प्रजापति: स भगवान् रुचिस्तस्यामजीजनत् ।

मिथुनं ब्रह्मवर्चस्वी परमेण समाधिना ॥ ३ ॥

prajāpatiḥ sa bhagavān

rucis tasyām ajījanat

mithunaṁ brahma-varcasvī

parameṇa samādhinā

Translation

Ruci, who was very powerful in his brahminical qualifications and was appointed one of the progenitors of the living entities, begot one son and one daughter by his wife, Ākūti.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Qualification Requires Practice

  1. 1

    Ruci strictly followed brahminical duties and possessed great spiritual strength. He and Ākūti had one son and one daughter.

  2. 2

    Brahminical qualifications include control of the mind and senses, cleanliness, simplicity, truthfulness and faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These qualities must be practiced, not merely inherited through birth.

  3. 3

    Understanding Vedic literature requires brahminical qualifications and training under a bona fide spiritual master. Without such preparation, a commentator cannot convey its real message.

Key points from the purport
  • Ruci was a brāhmaṇa, and he executed the brahminical duties very rigidly.
  • The Vedic literatures cannot be understood unless one has developed the brahminical qualifications.
  • Ruci was considered a first-class brāhmaṇa; therefore he is mentioned here as brahma-varcasvī, one who had full prowess in brahminical strength.

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

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu

Maitreya describes the descendants of Manu’s daughters and the blessings received by Atri Muni.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.1
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prajāpatiḥone who is entrusted with begetting children
  2. saḥhe
  3. bhagavānthe most opulent
  4. ruciḥthe great sage Ruci
  5. tasyāmin her
  6. ajījanatgave birth
  7. mithunamcouple
  8. brahma-varcasvīspiritually very much powerful
  9. parameṇawith great strength
  10. samādhināin trance
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.1

    In this verse: “understanding”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which of these qualities most needs my careful attention today?

Practice

Choose truthfulness, cleanliness or self-control, and deliberately practice it in one situation today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Qualification Requires PracticeThis 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 4.1.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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