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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
4.20.54.20.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.6

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

असंसक्त: शरीरेऽस्मिन्नमुनोत्पादिते गृहे ।

अपत्ये द्रविणे वापि क: कुर्यान्ममतां बुध: ॥ ६ ॥

asaṁsaktaḥ śarīre ’sminn

amunotpādite gṛhe

apatye draviṇe vāpi

kaḥ kuryān mamatāṁ budhaḥ

Translation

How can a highly learned person who has absolutely no affinity for the bodily conception of life be affected by the bodily conception in regard to house, children, wealth and similar other bodily productions?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Goes Beyond Bodily Comfort

  1. 1

    A learned person who is unattached to the body is not absorbed in possessiveness toward house, children, wealth and other bodily connections.

  2. 2

    Rituals pursued for sense gratification provide sanctioned material enjoyment. They remain within the three modes of material nature.

  3. 3

    Those above the material condition are interested in transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such service is beyond the modes and is not aimed at bodily comfort.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedic ritualistic ceremonies are certainly meant to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu.
  • Those who are elevated above the material condition are not at all interested in such Vedic performances.
  • Devotional service to the Lord has nothing to do with the material conception of bodily comfort.

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. asaṁsaktaḥbeing unattached
  2. śarīreto the body
  3. asminthis
  4. amunāby such a bodily conception
  5. utpāditeproduced
  6. gṛhehouse
  7. apatyechildren
  8. draviṇewealth
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “children”

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

Am I approaching service for the Lord’s pleasure or for my own comfort?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and set aside any expectation of personal comfort or material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Service Goes Beyond Bodily ComfortThis 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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