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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 17: Mahārāja Pṛthu Becomes Angry at the Earth
4.17.44.17.6-7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.17.5

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 4.17.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सनत्कुमाराद्भगवतो ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मविदुत्तमात् । लब्ध्वा ज्ञानं सविज्ञानं राजर्षि: कां गतिं गत: ॥ ५ ॥

sanat-kumārād bhagavato

brahman brahma-vid-uttamāt

labdhvā jñānaṁ sa-vijñānaṁ

rājarṣiḥ kāṁ gatiṁ gataḥ

Translation

The great saintly King, Mahārāja Pṛthu, received knowledge from Sanat-kumāra, who was the greatest Vedic scholar. After receiving knowledge to be applied practically in his life, how did the saintly King attain his desired destination?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Knowledge Through Authorized Disciplic Succession

  1. 1

    The four Vaiṣṇava sampradāyas come from Lord Brahmā, the goddess of fortune, the Kumāras headed by Sanat-kumāra, and Lord Śiva.

  2. 2

    One who seriously seeks transcendental Vedic knowledge must accept a spiritual master in one of these four disciplic successions. Mahārāja Pṛthu set this example by accepting Sanat-kumāra.

  3. 3

    The purport warns that unauthorized mantras will not be successful in Kali-yuga. Pṛthu received knowledge meant for practical application, not merely for learning.

Key points from the purport
  • As King Pṛthu has illustrated, one who is serious about receiving transcendental Vedic knowledge must accept a guru, or spiritual master, in one of these four disciplic successions.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja, however, showed by his example that one should receive knowledge from a bona fide sampradāya.
  • Therefore Mahārāja Pṛthu accepted Sanat-kumāra as his spiritual master.

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 17: Mahārāja Pṛthu Becomes Angry at the Earth

Pṛthu pursues the cow-shaped earth, who offers prayers and appeals to his mercy.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sanat-kumārātfrom Sanat-kumāra
  2. bhagavataḥthe most powerful
  3. brahmanmy dear brāhmaṇa
  4. brahma-vit-uttamātwell versed in the Vedic knowledge
  5. labdhvāafter achieving
  6. jñānamknowledge
  7. sa-vijñānamfor practical application
  8. rāja-ṛṣiḥthe great saintly King
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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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 seeking authorized spiritual guidance and knowledge I can put into practice?

Practice

Note the four authorized disciplic successions and one reason the purport gives for seeking a spiritual master within them.

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 4.17's connections

Live this todayReceive Knowledge Through Authorized Disciplic SuccessionThis 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 4.17.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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