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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
4.20.374.21.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.20.34inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अद‍ृष्टाय नमस्कृत्य नृप: सन्दर्शितात्मने ।

अव्यक्ताय च देवानां देवाय स्वपुरं ययौ ॥ ३८ ॥

adṛṣṭāya namaskṛtya

nṛpaḥ sandarśitātmane

avyaktāya ca devānāṁ

devāya sva-puraṁ yayau

Translation

King Pṛthu then offered his respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supreme Lord of all demigods. Although not an object of material vision, the Lord revealed Himself to the sight of Mahārāja Pṛthu. After offering obeisances to the Lord, the King returned to his home.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Reveals Himself Through Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is beyond material vision, although this material world is His creation. He cannot be seen by ordinary material eyes.

  2. 2

    When the senses are engaged in transcendental loving service, they become purified. The Lord then reveals Himself to the devotee’s vision.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Pṛthu developed spiritual eyes through pure devotional service. After the Lord revealed Himself, the King offered respectful obeisances and returned home.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord is not visible to material eyes, but when the material senses are inclined to the transcendental loving service of the Lord and are thus purified, the Lord reveals Himself to the vision of the devotee.
  • Although the material world is the creation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is unmanifested to material eyes.
  • Here, therefore, the Lord is described as sandarśitātmā, for He reveals Himself to the vision of the devotee, although He is not visible to ordinary eyes.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. adṛṣṭāyaunto one who is beyond the purview of material vision
  2. namaḥ-kṛtyaoffering obeisances
  3. nṛpaḥthe King
  4. sandarśitarevealed
  5. ātmaneunto the Supreme Soul
  6. avyaktāyawho is beyond the manifestation of the material world
  7. caalso
  8. devānāmof the demigods
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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”, “devotee’s”

  • 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

How can I use my senses in loving service rather than expect to perceive the Lord through ordinary vision?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to the Lord today, with the intention of engaging your senses in His loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Reveals Himself Through Pure DevotionThis 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 4.20.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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