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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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.20.114.20.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Viṣṇusince 4.20.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भिन्नस्य लिङ्गस्य गुणप्रवाहो

द्रव्यक्रियाकारकचेतनात्मन: ।

द‍ृष्टासु सम्पत्सु विपत्सु सूरयो

न विक्रियन्ते मयि बद्धसौहृदा: ॥ १२ ॥

bhinnasya liṅgasya guṇa-pravāho

dravya-kriyā-kāraka-cetanātmanaḥ

dṛṣṭāsu sampatsu vipatsu sūrayo

na vikriyante mayi baddha-sauhṛdāḥ

Translation

Lord Viṣṇu told King Pṛthu: My dear King, the constant change of this material world is due to the interaction of the three modes of material nature. The five elements, the senses, the demigods who control the senses, as well as the mind, which is agitated by the spirit soul — all these taken together comprise the body. Since the spirit soul is completely different from this combination of gross and subtle material elements, My devotee who is connected with Me in intense friendship and affection, being completely in knowledge, is never agitated by material happiness and distress.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Keeps the Devotee Steady

  1. 1

    The activities of the bodily combination are different from those of the spirit soul. Like a businessman riding in a car, the soul can supervise the body while remaining absorbed in a different concern.

  2. 2

    That concern is rendering loving service to the Lord. Absorption in this service allows the devotee to remain separate from the activities of the material body.

  3. 3

    The devotee is bound in intimate friendship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Through this relationship and knowledge, the devotee remains undisturbed by material happiness and distress.

Key points from the purport
  • The question may be raised that if the living entity has to act as the superintendent of the activities of the bodily combination, then how can he be indifferent to the activities of the body?
  • Then it will be possible to remain separate from the activities of the material body.
  • Therefore, to remain always aloof from the actions and reactions of the body and engage in one’s real occupation, namely rendering service to the Lord, can be possible only for devotees.

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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu

Lord Viṣṇu appears with Indra, instructs Pṛthu, and receives his worship and devotional prayers.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.20
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhinnasyadifferent
  2. liṅgasyaof the body
  3. guṇaof the three modes of material nature
  4. pravāhaḥthe constant change
  5. dravyaphysical elements
  6. kriyāactivities of the senses
  7. kārakademigods
  8. cetanāand the mind
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “distress”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

While attending to your body's activities, how can you keep loving service to the Lord as your main concern?

Practice

Before one ordinary task today, pause and bring your attention back to your purpose of rendering loving service to the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Service Keeps the Devotee SteadyThis 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.

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