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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
4.18.24.18.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.3

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

अस्मिँल्लोकेऽथवामुष्मिन्मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभि: ।

द‍ृष्टा योगा: प्रयुक्ताश्च पुंसां श्रेय:प्रसिद्धये ॥ ३ ॥

asmil loke ’thavāmuṣmin

munibhis tattva-darśibhiḥ

dṛṣṭā yogāḥ prayuktāś ca

puṁsāṁ śreyaḥ-prasiddhaye

Translation

To benefit all human society, not only in this life but in the next, the great seers and sages have prescribed various methods conducive to the prosperity of the people in general.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Guidance for This Life and Next

  1. 1

    Great sages prescribe methods for the benefit of human society in both this life and the next.

  2. 2

    Vedic injunctions are called śruti, and supplementary teachings that follow their principles are called smṛti. Both provide guidance for spiritual and material life.

  3. 3

    The purport teaches that everyone should mold this life to prepare for a beneficial next life. Spiritual advancement requires following revealed instructions, not merely claiming to be advanced.

Key points from the purport
  • One should follow the principles laid down in śrutis and smṛtis not only in one’s spiritual life but in material life as well.
  • As far as human society is concerned, it should follow the Manu-smṛti as well, for these laws are given by Manu, the father of mankind.
  • If people follow the injunctions given by the great sages, śrutis and smṛtis, they can actually be happy in both this life and the next.

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. asminin this
  2. lokeduration of life
  3. atha vāor
  4. amuṣminin the next life
  5. munibhiḥby the great sages
  6. tattvathe truth
  7. darśibhiḥby those who have seen it
  8. dṛṣṭāḥprescribed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “material”

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

Does my idea of a successful life include preparation for the next life?

Practice

Choose one instruction from today's reading and write down how you will follow it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Guidance for This Life and NextThis 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 4.18.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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