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
4.21.174.21.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.18

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

व्यञ्जिताशेषगात्रश्रीर्नियमे न्यस्तभूषण: ।

कृष्णाजिनधर: श्रीमान् कुशपाणि:कृतोचित: ॥ १८ ॥

vyañjitāśeṣa-gātra-śrīr

niyame nyasta-bhūṣaṇaḥ

kṛṣṇājina-dharaḥ śrīmān

kuśa-pāṇiḥ kṛtocitaḥ

Translation

As Mahārāja Pṛthu was being initiated to perform the sacrifice, he had to leave aside his valuable dress, and therefore his natural bodily beauty was visible. It was very pleasing to see him put on a black deerskin and wear a ring of kuśa grass on his finger, for this increased the natural beauty of his body. It appears that Mahārāja Pṛthu observed all the regulative principles before he performed the sacrifice.

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.

Preparation Requires Following Regulative Principles

  1. 1

    When initiated to perform the sacrifice, Mahārāja Pṛthu set aside his valuable dress. His natural bodily beauty then became visible.

  2. 2

    He wore a black deerskin and a ring of kuśa grass on his finger. These increased the pleasing appearance of his natural beauty.

  3. 3

    The translation observes that Pṛthu followed all the regulative principles before performing the sacrifice. His preparation included accepting the required dress.

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. vyañjitaindicating
  2. aśeṣainnumerable
  3. gātrabodily
  4. śrīḥbeauty
  5. niyameregulated
  6. nyastagiven up
  7. bhūṣaṇaḥgarments
  8. kṛṣṇablack
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “principles”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to set aside personal preferences to prepare properly for worship?

Practice

Before your worship today, take a moment to check and follow one preparation it requires.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPreparation Requires Following Regulative PrinciplesThis 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 4.21.18? 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