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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.21.384.21.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

यत्सेवयाशेषगुहाशय: स्वराड्

विप्रप्रियस्तुष्यति काममीश्वर: ।

तदेव तद्धर्मपरैर्विनीतै:

सर्वात्मना ब्रह्मकुलं निषेव्यताम् ॥ ३९ ॥

yat-sevayāśeṣa-guhāśayaḥ sva-rāḍ

vipra-priyas tuṣyati kāmam īśvaraḥ

tad eva tad-dharma-parair vinītaiḥ

sarvātmanā brahma-kulaṁ niṣevyatām

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is everlastingly independent and who exists in everyone’s heart, is very pleased with those who follow in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the descendants of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, for He is always dear to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and they are always dear to Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Please the Lord by Serving His Devotees

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is independent and complete, so He needs no service from anyone. Offering service is nevertheless in our own interest.

  2. 2

    The Lord is most pleased when someone serves His devotees. Service to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas is a way of offering service to Him.

  3. 3

    By pleasing the spiritual master, one pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Pṛthu Mahārāja therefore advises wholehearted service to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, following the Lord’s own example.

Key points from the purport
  • He does not need any service from anyone because He is complete, but it is in our own interest to offer all kinds of services to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • These services can be offered to the Supreme Person not directly but through the service of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja advised his citizens to follow the exemplary behavior of the Lord Himself and thus engage in the service of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.

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

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. yatwhose
  2. sevayāby serving
  3. aśeṣaunlimited
  4. guhā-āśayaḥdwelling within the heart of everyone
  5. sva-rāṭbut still fully independent
  6. vipra-priyaḥvery dear to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas
  7. tuṣyatibecomes satisfied
  8. kāmamof desires
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to serve the Lord’s devotees without seeking something for myself?

Practice

Ask a devotee what small task you could help with today, and offer to do it.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPlease the Lord by Serving His DevoteesThis 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 4.21.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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