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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
4.21.304.21.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.31

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.21.25inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यत्पादसेवाभिरुचिस्तपस्विना-

मशेषजन्मोपचितं मलं धिय: ।

सद्य: क्षिणोत्यन्वहमेधती सती

यथा पदाङ्गुष्ठविनि:सृता सरित् ॥ ३१ ॥

yat-pāda-sevābhirucis tapasvinām

aśeṣa-janmopacitaṁ malaṁ dhiyaḥ

sadyaḥ kṣiṇoty anvaham edhatī satī

yathā padāṅguṣṭha-viniḥsṛtā sarit

Translation

By the inclination to serve the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, suffering humanity can immediately cleanse the dirt which has accumulated in their minds during innumerable births. Like the Ganges water, which emanates from the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, such a process immediately cleanses the mind, and thus spiritual or Kṛṣṇa consciousness gradually increases.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Service to Kṛṣṇa Purifies the Mind

  1. 1

    Service to the lotus feet of the Lord cleanses the mind of dirt accumulated over innumerable births. As this cleansing takes place, Kṛṣṇa consciousness increases.

  2. 2

    Pṛthu Mahārāja recommends that everyone take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, one is relieved of sinful reactions and can make swift spiritual progress.

  3. 3

    The spiritual master acts as Kṛṣṇa's representative and accepts the burden of the disciple's sinful reactions at initiation. By following the spiritual master's instructions, the disciple remains purified.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, if one takes to the service of the lotus feet of the Lord, or takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is immediately cleansed of the many dirty things which have accumulated in his innumerable births.
  • One should therefore take to the service of the Lord, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and thus very soon become a perfect man, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati).
  • Being a responsible king, Pṛthu Mahārāja recommends that everyone take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus be immediately purified.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 24.217

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.21.31).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yat-pādawhose lotus feet
  2. sevāservice
  3. abhiruciḥinclination
  4. tapasvināmpersons undergoing severe penances
  5. aśeṣainnumerable
  6. janmabirth
  7. upacitamacquire
  8. malamdirtiness
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “cleanse”, “purified”, “cleanses”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “suffering”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “surrendering”, “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I strengthen my inclination to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than remain absorbed in old habits?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask Kṛṣṇa for shelter and a sincere desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayService to Kṛṣṇa Purifies the MindOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 4.21.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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