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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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.20.184.20.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.20.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भगवानथ विश्वात्मा पृथुनोपहृतार्हण: ।

समुज्जिहानया भक्त्या गृहीतचरणाम्बुज: ॥ १९ ॥

bhagavān atha viśvātmā

pṛthunopahṛtārhaṇaḥ

samujjihānayā bhaktyā

gṛhīta-caraṇāmbujaḥ

Translation

King Pṛthu abundantly worshiped the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was so merciful to him. While worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Pṛthu Mahārāja gradually increased his ecstasy in devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Genuine Devotional Ecstasy Cannot Be Imitated

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja abundantly worshiped the merciful Lord’s lotus feet. As he worshiped, his ecstasy in devotional service gradually increased.

  2. 2

    Transcendental transformations, called aṣṭa-sāttvika-vikāra, appear when devotional service becomes perfect. These symptoms must never be imitated.

  3. 3

    The Lord is bhakta-vatsala, inclined toward His pure devotee. The ecstatic exchange between the Supreme Lord and His devotee is never like material activities.

Key points from the purport
  • When various ecstasies appear in the body of a devotee, it is to be understood that his devotional service has become perfect.
  • They are never to be imitated, but when a devotee actually becomes perfect, these symptoms are visible on his body.
  • Therefore the transcendental ecstatic transaction between the Supreme Lord and His devotee is never like the activities of this material world.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. athathereupon
  3. viśva-ātmāthe Supersoul
  4. pṛthunāby King Pṛthu
  5. upahṛtabeing offered
  6. arhaṇaḥall the paraphernalia for worship
  7. samujjihānayāgradually increased
  8. bhaktyāwhose devotional service
  9. gṛhītataken
  10. caraṇa-ambujaḥHis lotus feet
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worshiped”, “devotee”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “ecstasy”, “ecstatic”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.20

    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 seeking sincere devotional service rather than an outward display of spiritual emotion?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to the Lord today, focusing on sincerity rather than trying to produce a particular feeling.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGenuine Devotional Ecstasy Cannot Be ImitatedThis 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 4.20.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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