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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
4.18.164.18.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

गन्धर्वाप्सरसोऽधुक्षन् पात्रे पद्ममये पय: ।

वत्सं विश्वावसुं कृत्वा गान्धर्वं मधु सौभगम् ॥ १७ ॥

gandharvāpsaraso ’dhukṣan

pātre padmamaye payaḥ

vatsaṁ viśvāvasuṁ kṛtvā

gāndharvaṁ madhu saubhagam

Translation

The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka made Viśvāvasu into a calf, and they drew the milk into a lotus-flower pot. The milk took the shape of sweet musical art and beauty.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Earth Yields Musical Art and Beauty

  1. 1

    The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka made Viśvāvasu into a calf.

  2. 2

    They drew the milk into a pot made from a lotus flower.

  3. 3

    Their milk took the shape of sweet musical art and beauty.

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. gandharvainhabitants of the Gandharva planet
  2. apsarasaḥthe inhabitants of the Apsarā planet
  3. adhukṣanmilked out
  4. pātrein a pot
  5. padma-mayemade of a lotus
  6. payaḥmilk
  7. vatsamcalf
  8. viśvāvasumof the name Viśvāvasu
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “sweet”

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

What does this verse help me notice about the variety of gifts drawn from the earth?

Practice

Reread the verse and note its three details: the calf, the vessel and the gift received.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Earth Yields Musical Art and BeautyThis 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 4.18.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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