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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 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.21.144.21.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.15

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

प्रांशु: पीनायतभुजो गौर: कञ्जारुणेक्षण: ।

सुनास: सुमुख: सौम्य: पीनांस: सुद्विजस्मित: ॥ १५ ॥

prāṁśuḥ pīnāyata-bhujo

gauraḥ kañjāruṇekṣaṇaḥ

sunāsaḥ sumukhaḥ saumyaḥ

pīnāṁsaḥ sudvija-smitaḥ

Translation

King Pṛthu’s body was tall and sturdy, and his complexion was fair. His arms were full and broad and his eyes as bright as the rising sun. His nose was straight, his face very beautiful, and his personality grave. His teeth were set beautifully in his smiling face.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pṛthu’s Beauty and the Soul’s Transmigration

  1. 1

    King Pṛthu was tall and sturdy, with broad arms, bright eyes and a beautiful smiling face. His personality was grave.

  2. 2

    The purport describes kṣatriya men and women as generally beautiful. Pṛthu had not only attractive features but also all-auspicious bodily signs.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that mental constitution is reflected in facial features and that past deeds determine one’s next bodily features. It presents this as evidence of the soul’s transmigration through different bodies.

Key points from the purport
  • Amongst the four social orders (brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras), the kṣatriyas, both men and women, are generally very beautiful.
  • As will be apparent from the following verses, it is to be concluded that not only were Mahārāja Pṛthu’s bodily features attractive, as described here, but he had specific all-auspicious signs in his bodily construction.
  • One’s mental constitution is exhibited by his facial features.

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. prāṁśuḥvery tall
  2. pīna-āyatafull and broad
  3. bhujaḥarms
  4. gauraḥfair-complexioned
  5. kañjalotuslike
  6. aruṇa-īkṣaṇaḥwith bright eyes resembling a morning sunrise
  7. su-nāsaḥstraight nose
  8. su-mukhaḥwith a beautiful face
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

How does the teaching that deeds shape a future body affect my sense of responsibility today?

Practice

Before one action today, pause to consider that deeds have consequences beyond the present moment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPṛthu’s Beauty and the Soul’s TransmigrationThis 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 4.21.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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