1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.21.124.21.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.21.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एकदासीन्महासत्रदीक्षा तत्र दिवौकसाम् ।

समाजो ब्रह्मर्षीणां च राजर्षीणां च सत्तम ॥ १३ ॥

ekadāsīn mahā-satra-

dīkṣā tatra divaukasām

samājo brahmarṣīṇāṁ ca

rājarṣīṇāṁ ca sattama

Translation

Once upon a time King Pṛthu initiated the performance of a very great sacrifice in which great saintly sages, brāhmaṇas, demigods from higher planetary systems and great saintly kings known as rājarṣis all assembled together.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Sacrifice Gathering Exalted Visitors

  1. 1

    King Pṛthu undertook a very great sacrifice. Saintly sages, brāhmaṇas, demigods and saintly kings assembled there.

  2. 2

    The purport emphasizes that demigods came to participate although Pṛthu resided between the Ganges and Yamunā in India. It explains that demigods formerly visited this planet.

  3. 3

    Great personalities also visited higher planetary systems. The purport describes this exchange as interplanetary communication through suitable airplanes and space vehicles.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the most significant point is that although King Pṛthu’s residential quarters were in India, between the rivers Ganges and Yamunā, the demigods also participated in the great sacrifice he performed.
  • Similarly, great personalities like Arjuna, Yudhiṣṭhira and many others used to visit higher planetary systems.
  • Thus there was interplanetary communication via suitable airplanes and space vehicles.

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 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu

Pṛthu addresses an assembly about devotional service and respect for brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekadāonce upon a time
  2. āsīttook a vow
  3. mahā-satragreat sacrifice
  4. dīkṣāinitiation
  5. tatrain that function
  6. diva-okasāmof the demigods
  7. samājaḥassembly
  8. brahma-ṛṣīṇāmof great saintly brāhmaṇas
3

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to me about the range of personalities who gathered for Pṛthu’s sacrifice?

Practice

List the four groups of visitors named in the translation, noticing how they assembled for the same sacrifice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Sacrifice Gathering Exalted VisitorsThis 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 4.21.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories