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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 15: King Pṛthu’s Appearance and Coronation
4.15.174.15.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.15.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sagesince 4.15.14inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अग्निराजगवं चापं सूर्यो रश्मिमयानिषून् ।

भू: पादुके योगमय्यौ द्यौ: पुष्पावलिमन्वहम् ॥ १८ ॥

agnir āja-gavaṁ cāpaṁ

sūryo raśmimayān iṣūn

bhūḥ pāduke yogamayyau

dyauḥ puṣpāvalim anvaham

Translation

The demigod of fire, Agni, presented him with a bow made of the horns of goats and cows. The sun-god presented him with arrows as brilliant as sunshine. The predominating deity of Bhūrloka presented him with slippers full of mystic power. The demigods from outer space brought him presentations of flowers again and again.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pṛthu’s Slippers Carry Mystic Power

  1. 1

    Agni gave a bow made of goat and cow horns, and the sun-god gave arrows as brilliant as sunshine. Demigods from outer space repeatedly brought flowers.

  2. 2

    The predominating deity of Bhūrloka gave slippers invested with mystic power. As soon as Pṛthu placed his feet in them, they carried him wherever he desired.

  3. 3

    Mystic yogīs can transfer themselves from one place to another at will. A similar power was invested in Pṛthu’s slippers.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse describes that the King’s slippers were invested with mystic powers (pāduke yogamayyau).
  • Thus as soon as the King placed his feet in the slippers they would immediately carry him wherever he desired.
  • A similar power was invested in the slippers of King Pṛthu.

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 15: King Pṛthu’s Appearance and Coronation

Pṛthu and Arci appear from Vena’s arms; Pṛthu receives royal gifts and humbly questions premature praise.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. agniḥthe demigod of fire
  2. āja-gavammade of the horns of goats and cows
  3. cāpama bow
  4. sūryaḥthe sun-god
  5. raśmi-mayānbrilliant as sunshine
  6. iṣūnarrows
  7. bhūḥBhūmi, the predominating goddess of the earth
  8. pāduketwo slippers
3

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

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 does the comparison with mystic yogīs explain the slippers’ power?

Practice

Summarize the slippers’ power in one sentence, using only what the purport explains.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPṛthu’s Slippers Carry Mystic PowerThis 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 4.15.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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