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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
4.20.324.20.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.33

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

तत्त्वं कुरु मयादिष्टमप्रमत्त: प्रजापते ।

मदादेशकरो लोक: सर्वत्राप्नोति शोभनम् ॥ ३३ ॥

tat tvaṁ kuru mayādiṣṭam

apramattaḥ prajāpate

mad-ādeśa-karo lokaḥ

sarvatrāpnoti śobhanam

Translation

My dear King, O protector of the citizens, henceforward be very careful to execute My orders and not be misled by anything. Anyone who lives in that way, simply carrying out My orders faithfully, will always find good fortune all over the world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Religion Means Following the Lord’s Orders

  1. 1

    The essence of religious life is to execute the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord asks the King to do this carefully, without being misled.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa asks us to think of Him, become His devotees and surrender unto Him. These instructions are the primary principle of religion.

  3. 3

    Activities performed in the name of religion are not necessarily truly religious. One who faithfully carries out the Lord’s orders finds good fortune everywhere.

Key points from the purport
  • The sum and substance of religious life is to execute the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and one who does so is perfectly religious.
  • Anyone who directly executes such an order from the Personality of Godhead is actually a religious person.
  • For one who executes the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, however, there is only good fortune throughout the 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.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 4.20.33 quotesBG 18.65

In Bhagavad-gītā (18.65) the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa says, man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ: “Just think of Me always and become My devotee.”

The purport of SB 4.20.33 quotesBG 18.66

Furthermore, the Lord says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: “Give up all kinds of material engagement and simply surrender unto Me.”

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. tattherefore
  2. tvamyou
  3. kurudo
  4. mayāby Me
  5. ādiṣṭamwhat is ordered
  6. apramattaḥwithout being misguided
  7. prajā-pateO master of the citizens
  8. matof Me
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “protector”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 understanding of religion center on following Kṛṣṇa’s instructions?

Practice

Pause once today to remember Kṛṣṇa and renew your intention to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Religion Means Following the Lord’s OrdersThis 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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