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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

4.21.2 4.21.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.3

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

सवृन्दै: कदलीस्तम्भै: पूगपोतै: परिष्कृतम् ।

तरुपल्लवमालाभि: सर्वत: समलङ्‌कृतम् ॥ ३ ॥

savṛndaiḥ kadalī-stambhaiḥ

pūga-potaiḥ pariṣkṛtam

taru-pallava-mālābhiḥ

sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtam

Translation

At the street crossings there were bunches of fruits and flowers, as well as pillars of banana trees and betel nut branches. All these combined decorations everywhere looked very attractive.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Natural Decorations Bring Beauty

1
Bunches of fruits and flowers decorated the street crossings.
2
Pillars of banana trees and betel nut branches were also part of the decorations.
3
These decorations combined to make the surroundings attractive everywhere.

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