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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 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.8-94.13.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.13.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

जडान्धबधिरोन्मत्तमूकाकृतिरतन्मति: ।

लक्षित: पथि बालानां प्रशान्तार्चिरिवानल: ॥ १० ॥

jaḍāndha-badhironmatta-

mūkākṛtir atan-matiḥ

lakṣitaḥ pathi bālānāṁ

praśāntārcir ivānalaḥ

Translation

Utkala appeared to the less intelligent persons on the road to be foolish, blind, dumb, deaf and mad, although actually he was not so. He remained like fire covered with ashes, without blazing flames.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Quiet Devotion Can Be Misunderstood

  1. 1

    Utkala appeared foolish or mad to less intelligent observers, although he was not so. He remained like fire covered with ashes.

  2. 2

    An advanced devotee may remain silent to avoid opposition and disturbance. He speaks in friendship with devotees and for the enlightenment of innocent people.

  3. 3

    One kind of advanced devotee is called bhajanānandī, while goṣṭhy-ānandī devotees preach to increase the number of devotees. Even preachers avoid those who are hostile to spiritual life.

Key points from the purport
  • In order to avoid contradiction, botheration and unfavorable situations created by materialistic persons, a great saintly person like Jaḍa Bharata or Utkala remains silent.
  • The less intelligent consider such saintly persons to be mad, deaf or dumb.
  • Factually, an advanced devotee avoids speaking with persons who are not in devotional life, but to those who are in devotional life he speaks in friendship, and he speaks to the innocent for their enlightenment.

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

Anger and disorder → Duty and devotion. Kingship shifts from domination to stewardship and renunciation.

Chapters 13–23 of Canto 4: Vena and Pṛthu: power, the Earth and stewardship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja

Dhruva’s descendants are described, followed by an account of a sonless king and the cruel boy Vena.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.13
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jaḍafoolish
  2. andhablind
  3. badhiradeaf
  4. unmattamad
  5. mūkadumb
  6. ākṛtiḥappearance
  7. a-tatnot like that
  8. matiḥhis intelligence
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “friendship”

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

Can I avoid judging someone’s spiritual understanding merely by how much they speak?

Practice

In one conversation today, avoid needless spiritual argument and choose friendly, helpful speech.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.13's connections

Live this todayQuiet Devotion Can Be MisunderstoodThis 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 4.13.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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