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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
4.20.304.20.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

त्वन्माययाद्धा जन ईश खण्डितो

यदन्यदाशास्त ऋतात्मनोऽबुध: ।

यथा चरेद् बालहितं पिता स्वयं

तथा त्वमेवार्हसि न: समीहितुम् ॥ ३१ ॥

tvan-māyayāddhā jana īśa khaṇḍito

yad anyad āśāsta ṛtātmano ’budhaḥ

yathā cared bāla-hitaṁ pitā svayaṁ

tathā tvam evārhasi naḥ samīhitum

Translation

My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think best for me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Trust the Lord to Know Your Needs

  1. 1

    Like a good son who trusts his father, a pure devotee depends upon the Lord. The Lord knows the living entity’s necessities and supplies them.

  2. 2

    Forgetfulness of our real position leads us to create unnecessary demands. These demands entangle us in material activities life after life.

  3. 3

    Our duty is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and let Him take charge. Favorable service to Him, without seeking material benefit, is the highest perfection of life.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, a pure devotee does not ask anything from the Lord for material benefit.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja therefore tells the Lord that, as the supreme father, He may elect to bestow whatever He considers beneficial for Pṛthu Mahārāja.
  • The conclusion is that the pure devotee should not aspire after any material benefit from devotional service, nor should he be enamored by fruitive activities or philosophical speculation.

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 4.20.31 quotesBG 18.66

The pure devotee is fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord takes charge of him, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66): ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi.

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. tvatYour
  2. māyayāby illusory energy
  3. addhācertainly
  4. janaḥthe people in general
  5. īśaO my Lord
  6. khaṇḍitaḥseparated
  7. yatbecause
  8. anyatother
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “friendship”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “father”

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 unnecessary demand could I set aside as I learn to trust the Lord’s care?

Practice

Name one concern in prayer, then ask the Lord to bestow whatever He considers best for your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrust the Lord to Know Your NeedsThis 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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