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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.464.13.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.47

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The head priestssince 4.13.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एवं स निर्विण्णमना नृपो गृहा-

न्निशीथ उत्थाय महोदयोदयात् ।

अलब्धनिद्रोऽनुपलक्षितो नृभि-

र्हित्वा गतो वेनसुवं प्रसुप्ताम् ॥ ४७ ॥

evaṁ sa nirviṇṇa-manā nṛpo gṛhān

niśītha utthāya mahodayodayāt

alabdha-nidro ’nupalakṣito nṛbhir

hitvā gato vena-suvaṁ prasuptām

Translation

Thinking like that, King Aṅga could not sleep at night. He became completely indifferent to household life. Once, therefore, in the dead of night, he got up from bed and left Vena’s mother [his wife], who was sleeping deeply. He gave up all attraction for his greatly opulent kingdom, and, unseen by anyone, he very silently gave up his home and opulence and proceeded towards the forest.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Detachment Is a Greater Blessing Than Wealth

  1. 1

    The blessings of a great soul can bring material opulence. Giving up attachment to that wealth is an even greater blessing.

  2. 2

    It was not easy for King Aṅga to leave his opulent kingdom and young, faithful wife.

  3. 3

    His ability to give up attachment and quietly go to the forest was a great blessing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word mahodayodayāt indicates that by the blessings of a great soul one becomes materially opulent, but when one gives up attachment to material wealth, that should be considered an even greater blessing from the great souls.
  • It was not a very easy task for the King to give up his opulent kingdom and young, faithful wife, but it was certainly a great blessing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he could give up the attachment and go out to the forest without being seen by anyone.
  • There are many instances of great souls leaving home in this way in the dead of night, giving up attachment for home, wife and money.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. saḥhe
  3. nirviṇṇa-manāḥbeing indifferent in mind
  4. nṛpaḥKing Aṅga
  5. gṛhātfrom home
  6. niśīthein the dead of night
  7. utthāyagetting up
  8. mahā-udaya-udayātopulent by the blessings of great souls
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “indifferent”, “gave up”, “give up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “household”, “attachment”, “wealth”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

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

Do I value freedom from attachment as much as I value material prosperity?

Practice

Today, pray for less attachment to one possession you especially treasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDetachment Is a Greater Blessing Than WealthThis 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.

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