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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
4.20.24.20.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.3

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 4.20.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सुधिय: साधवो लोके नरदेव नरोत्तमा: ।

नाभिद्रुह्यन्ति भूतेभ्यो यर्हि नात्मा कलेवरम् ॥ ३ ॥

sudhiyaḥ sādhavo loke

naradeva narottamāḥ

nābhidruhyanti bhūtebhyo

yarhi nātmā kalevaram

Translation

O King, one who is advanced in intelligence and eager to perform welfare activities for others is considered best amongst human beings. An advanced human being is never malicious to others. Those with advanced intelligence are always conscious that this material body is different from the soul.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Intelligence Shows Itself in Forgiveness

  1. 1

    Those advanced in intelligence distinguish the soul from the body and seek the welfare of others. They are never malicious.

  2. 2

    The living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In material life, his activities are influenced by the modes of material nature.

  3. 3

    Those advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are not envious. Forgiveness is a quality of those advancing in spiritual knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • When he falls into the clutches of material energy, he becomes a victim of the three modes of material nature.
  • Actually the living entity, or soul, does not do anything; everything is done under the influence of the modes of material nature.
  • Those who are advanced in transcendental consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, are never envious, neither of the soul nor of the activities of the soul under the influence of material nature.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.20.3 quotesBG 5.14

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (5.14): “The embodied spirit, master of the city of his body, does not create activities, nor does he induce people to act, nor does he create the fruits of action.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. su-dhiyaḥthe most intelligent persons
  2. sādhavaḥwho are inclined to perform welfare activities
  3. lokein this world
  4. nara-devaO King
  5. nara-uttamāḥthe best of human beings
  6. na abhidruhyantinever become malicious
  7. bhūtebhyaḥtoward other living beings
  8. yarhibecause
3

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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.20

    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 response to another person’s fault show envy or growing spiritual understanding?

Practice

When a small fault irritates you today, pause before responding and choose a forgiving rather than malicious reply.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Intelligence Shows Itself in ForgivenessThis 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 4.20.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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