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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 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet
4.18.144.18.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.18.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कृत्वा वत्सं सुरगणा इन्द्रं सोममदूदुहन् ।

हिरण्मयेन पात्रेण वीर्यमोजो बलं पय: ॥ १५ ॥

kṛtvā vatsaṁ sura-gaṇā

indraṁ somam adūduhan

hiraṇmayena pātreṇa

vīryam ojo balaṁ payaḥ

Translation

All the demigods made Indra, the King of heaven, into a calf, and from the earth they milked the beverage soma, which is nectar. Thus they became very powerful in mental speculation and bodily and sensual strength.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Soma Is Not Ordinary Intoxication

  1. 1

    The demigods made Indra into a calf and milked soma, a nectarean beverage, from the earth.

  2. 2

    Soma is available in the heavenly planets. It increases the demigods’ mental power, sensual power and bodily strength.

  3. 3

    The purport clearly distinguishes soma from intoxicating liquor and drugs. The demigods would not touch ordinary liquor.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word soma means “nectar.”
  • Soma is a kind of beverage made in the heavenly planets, from the moon to the kingdoms of the demigods in the various higher planetary systems.
  • By drinking this soma beverage the demigods become more powerful mentally and increase their sensual power and bodily strength.

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 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet

Pṛthu and others milk the earth; he provides citizens with food, employment, and places to live.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛtvāmaking
  2. vatsamcalf
  3. sura-gaṇāḥthe demigods
  4. indramIndra, King of heaven
  5. somamnectar
  6. adūduhanthey milked out
  7. hiraṇmayenagolden
  8. pātreṇawith a pot
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “king”

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 careful to distinguish what the text describes from familiar earthly substances?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why soma should not be equated with liquor or drugs.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySoma Is Not Ordinary IntoxicationThis 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 4.18.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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