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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
4.20.214.20.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.22

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

अथावमृज्याश्रुकला विलोकयन्-

नतृप्तद‍ृग्गोचरमाह पूरुषम् ।

पदा स्पृशन्तं क्षितिमंस उन्नते

विन्यस्तहस्ताग्रमुरङ्गविद्विष: ॥ २२ ॥

athāvamṛjyāśru-kalā vilokayann

atṛpta-dṛg-gocaram āha pūruṣam

padā spṛśantaṁ kṣitim aṁsa unnate

vinyasta-hastāgram uraṅga-vidviṣaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead stood with His lotus feet almost touching the ground while He rested the front of His hand on the raised shoulder of Garuḍa, the enemy of the snakes. Mahārāja Pṛthu, wiping the tears from his eyes, tried to look upon the Lord, but it appeared that the King was not fully satisfied by looking at Him. Thus the King offered the following prayers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Shows Affection for His Devotee

  1. 1

    The purport explains that residents of higher planetary systems can stand without touching the ground. Lord Viṣṇu sometimes acts as if He were one of the demigods, although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Pleased with Pṛthu Mahārāja’s behavior and character, the Lord touched the earth out of affection. He rested His hand on Garuḍa’s raised shoulder as if to keep Himself from falling.

  3. 3

    Pṛthu Mahārāja wiped away his tears and tried to look upon the Lord, yet could not feel satisfied by seeing Him. Overwhelmed with ecstasy, he began offering prayers in a faltering voice.

Key points from the purport
  • When He first appeared before Pṛthu Mahārāja, He was not touching the ground of this earth, but when He was fully satisfied with the behavior and character of Mahārāja Pṛthu, He immediately acted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Nārāyaṇa from Vaikuṇṭha.
  • Out of affection for Pṛthu Mahārāja, He touched the earth, but He rested the front of His hand on the raised shoulder of Garuḍa, His carrier, as if to prevent Himself from falling down, since the Lord is not accustomed to stand on earthly ground.
  • Perceiving his fortunate position, Pṛthu Mahārāja could not fully look upon the Lord due to ecstasy, but still, in a faltering voice, he began to offer prayers.

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. athathereupon
  2. avamṛjyawiping
  3. aśru-kalāḥthe tears in his eyes
  4. vilokayanobserving
  5. atṛptanot satisfied
  6. dṛk-gocaramvisible to his naked eyes
  7. āhahe said
  8. pūruṣamunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “king”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

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 the Lord’s affectionate response to Pṛthu Mahārāja teach me about His relationship with His devotees?

Practice

Reread the description of the Lord standing beside Garuḍa, then offer a short prayer appreciating His affection for His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Shows Affection for His DevoteeThis 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 4.20.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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