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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.8

Who is speaking and story frame

य एवं सन्तमात्मानमात्मस्थं वेद पूरुष: ।

नाज्यते प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणै: स मयि स्थित: ॥ ८ ॥

ya evaṁ santam ātmānam

ātma-sthaṁ veda pūruṣaḥ

nājyate prakṛti-stho ’pi

tad-guṇaiḥ sa mayi sthitaḥ

Translation

Although within the material nature, one who is thus situated in full knowledge of the Paramātmā and ātmā is never affected by the modes of material nature, for he is always situated in My transcendental loving service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Steady Devotion Transcends Material Qualities

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is not affected by material nature when He appears within it.

  2. 2

    Those always connected with Him through unwavering devotional service also surpass the material qualities, even while living in a material body.

  3. 3

    A person always serving the Lord with body, words and mind is considered liberated, although still living in the material world.

Key points from the purport
  • When the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in this material world, He is not affected by the modes of material nature.
  • In this connection Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says that if a person is always engaged in the service of the Lord with his body, words and mind, he is to be considered liberated although living in the material 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· 1

The purport of SB 4.20.8 quotesBG 14.26

That is explained very nicely in Bhagavad-gītā (14.26): “One who is unflinchingly engaged in the devotional service of the Lord surpasses the material qualities and attains Brahman realization.”

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥanyone who
  2. evamthus
  3. santamexisting
  4. ātmānamthe individual ātmā and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Paramātmā
  5. ātma-sthamsituated within his body
  6. vedaknows
  7. pūruṣaḥperson
  8. nanever
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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: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my body, words and mind work together in serving the Lord?

Practice

Read this verse aloud as service to the Lord, keeping your body attentive and your mind focused on its meaning.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySteady Devotion Transcends Material QualitiesThis 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 4.20.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.