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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
4.21.164.21.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.17

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

सूक्ष्मवक्रासितस्‍निग्धमूर्धज: कम्बुकन्धर: ।

महाधने दुकूलाग्र्ये परिधायोपवीय च ॥ १७ ॥

sūkṣma-vakrāsita-snigdha-

mūrdhajaḥ kambu-kandharaḥ

mahā-dhane dukūlāgrye

paridhāyopavīya ca

Translation

The black, slick hair on his head was very fine and curly, and his neck, like a conchshell, was decorated with auspicious lines. He wore a very valuable dhotī, and there was a nice wrapper on the upper part of his body.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pṛthu’s Auspicious Features and Fine Dress

  1. 1

    Pṛthu’s hair was black, slick, very fine and curly.

  2. 2

    His neck resembled a conchshell and was marked with auspicious lines.

  3. 3

    He wore a very valuable dhotī. A fine wrapper covered the upper part of his body.

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. sūkṣmavery fine
  2. vakracurly
  3. asitablack
  4. snigdhaslick
  5. mūrdhajaḥhair on the head
  6. kambulike a conch
  7. kandharaḥneck
  8. mahā-dhanevery valuable
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does attending to these details help me picture Pṛthu as the translation describes him?

Practice

Spend a quiet moment recalling Pṛthu’s hair, conchshell-like neck and clothing from the translation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPṛthu’s Auspicious Features and Fine DressThis 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 4.21.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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