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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
4.21.14.21.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.21.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

चन्दनागुरुतोयार्द्ररथ्याचत्वरमार्गवत् ।

पुष्पाक्षतफलैस्तोक्‍मैर्लाजैरर्चिर्भिरर्चितम् ॥ २ ॥

candanāguru-toyārdra-

rathyā-catvara-mārgavat

puṣpākṣata-phalais tokmair

lājair arcirbhir arcitam

Translation

Fragrant water distilled from sandalwood and aguru herb was sprinkled everywhere on the lanes, roads and small parks throughout the city, and everywhere were decorations of unbroken fruits, flowers, wetted grains, varied minerals, and lamps, all presented as auspicious paraphernalia.

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.

Preparing an Auspicious Welcome

  1. 1

    Fragrant water distilled from sandalwood and aguru herb was sprinkled throughout the city.

  2. 2

    The lanes, roads and small parks were decorated with fruits, flowers, wetted grains and varied minerals.

  3. 3

    Lamps were also placed everywhere. All these items were presented as auspicious paraphernalia.

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. candanasandalwood
  2. agurua kind of fragrant herb
  3. toyathe water of
  4. ārdrasprinkled with
  5. rathyāa path for driving a chariot
  6. catvarasmall parks
  7. mārgavatlanes
  8. puṣpaflowers
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

What care do I put into preparing a welcoming place for others?

Practice

Arrange a small display of fruit or flowers to make a shared space welcoming today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPreparing an Auspicious WelcomeThis 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 4.21.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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