1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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 15: King Pṛthu’s Appearance and Coronation
4.15.24.15.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.15.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sagessince 4.15.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ऋषय ऊचु:

एष विष्णोर्भगवत: कला भुवनपालिनी ।

इयं च लक्ष्म्या: सम्भूति: पुरुषस्यानपायिनी ॥ ३ ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ

eṣa viṣṇor bhagavataḥ

kalā bhuvana-pālinī

iyaṁ ca lakṣmyāḥ sambhūtiḥ

puruṣasyānapāyinī

Translation

The great sages said: The male is a plenary expansion of the power of Lord Viṣṇu, who maintains the entire universe, and the female is a plenary expansion of the goddess of fortune, who is never separated from the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Wealth in the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    The male appeared as an expansion of Lord Viṣṇu’s power to maintain the universe. The female appeared as an expansion of the goddess of fortune.

  2. 2

    The goddess of fortune is never separated from Lord Viṣṇu. Those seeking her favor should worship Lakṣmī and Lord Viṣṇu together, not regard her separately.

  3. 3

    Those favored with riches must engage their money in the Lord’s service. The purport teaches that this allows their opulence to continue without disturbance.

Key points from the purport
  • Materialists should understand that the goddess of fortune should be worshiped along with Lord Viṣṇu and should not be regarded separately.
  • Materialists seeking the favor of the goddess of fortune must worship Lord Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī together to maintain material opulence.
  • Those who are very rich and have taken favor of the goddess of fortune in this world must engage their money in the service of the Lord.

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. ṛṣayaḥ ūcuḥthe sages said
  2. eṣaḥthis male
  3. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  4. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. kalāexpansion
  6. bhuvana-pālinīwho maintains the world
  7. iyamthis female
  8. caalso
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.15

    In this verse: “separated”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.15

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.15

    In this verse: “favor”

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 use what I have in the Lord’s service rather than seek wealth separately from Him?

Practice

Set aside a small amount of money for the Lord’s service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

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 4.15's connections

Live this todayUse Wealth in the Lord’s 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 4.15.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories