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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 16: Praise of King Pṛthu by the Professional Reciters
4.16.24.16.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The reciterssince 4.16.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अथाप्युदारश्रवस: पृथोर्हरे:

कलावतारस्य कथामृताद‍ृता: ।

यथोपदेशं मुनिभि: प्रचोदिता:

श्लाघ्यानि कर्माणि वयं वितन्महि ॥ ३ ॥

athāpy udāra-śravasaḥ pṛthor hareḥ

kalāvatārasya kathāmṛtādṛtāḥ

yathopadeśaṁ munibhiḥ pracoditāḥ

ślāghyāni karmāṇi vayaṁ vitanmahi

Translation

Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste for glorifying your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant. Dear King, because you are a direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all your activities are liberal and ever laudable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Makes Even Few Words Pleasing

  1. 1

    No one can describe the Lord’s glories adequately, but a sincere attempt pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Lord Caitanya advised His followers to spread Lord Kṛṣṇa’s message. One should study and speak Bhagavad-gītā as understood through disciplic succession, following sādhu, guru and śāstras.

  3. 3

    Devotional service is the real means of satisfying the Lord; even a few devotional words can please Him. Without devotion, volumes of books cannot satisfy Him.

Key points from the purport
  • However expert one may be, he can never describe the glories of the Lord adequately.
  • Devotional service, however, is the real method, for by devotional service one can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead with just a few words.
  • Even though preachers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement may be unable to describe the glories of the Lord, they can nonetheless go everywhere and request people to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

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 16: Praise of King Pṛthu by the Professional Reciters

Reciters describe Pṛthu’s future protection of citizens, service to devotees, and meeting with Sanat-kumāra.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atha apinevertheless
  2. udāraliberal
  3. śravasaḥwhose fame
  4. pṛthoḥof King Pṛthu
  5. hareḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  6. kalāpart of a plenary expansion
  7. avatārasyaincarnation
  8. kathāwords
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “glorify”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Am I more concerned with speaking impressively or serving Kṛṣṇa sincerely?

Practice

Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa today with the intention of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Makes Even Few Words PleasingThis 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 4.16.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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