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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 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.234.13.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 4.13.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एतदाख्याहि मे ब्रह्मन् सुनीथात्मजचेष्टितम् ।

श्रद्दधानाय भक्ताय त्वं परावरवित्तम: ॥ २४ ॥

etad ākhyāhi me brahman

sunīthātmaja-ceṣṭitam

śraddadhānāya bhaktāya

tvaṁ parāvara-vittamaḥ

Translation

Vidura requested Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, you are well conversant with all subjects, both past and future. Therefore I wish to hear from you all the activities of King Vena. I am your faithful devotee, so please explain this.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Knowledge Through Humble Inquiry and Service

  1. 1

    Vidura accepted Maitreya as his spiritual master and asked to hear with faith and devotion.

  2. 2

    A spiritual master reveals transcendental knowledge to a disciple who is gentle, submissive and devoted.

  3. 3

    Receiving knowledge requires submission, inquiry and service. By the spiritual master's mercy, one receives the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • A disciple always inquires from the spiritual master, and the spiritual master answers the question, provided the disciple is very gentle and devoted.
  • The spiritual master is not inclined to disclose all the secrets of transcendental science unless the disciple is very submissive and devoted.
  • As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, the process of receiving knowledge from the spiritual master entails submission, inquiry and service.

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. etatall these
  2. ākhyāhiplease describe
  3. meunto me
  4. brahmanO great brāhmaṇa
  5. sunīthā-ātmajaof the son of Sunīthā, Vena
  6. ceṣṭitamactivities
  7. śraddadhānāyafaithful
  8. bhaktāyaunto your devotee
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotion”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “inquiry”

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

How can I bring more humility and willingness to serve into my spiritual inquiries?

Practice

Write down one sincere spiritual question, with the intention to learn rather than argue.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Knowledge Through Humble Inquiry and ServiceThis 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 4.13.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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