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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
4.21.394.21.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.40

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

पुमाँल्लभेतानतिवेलमात्मन:

प्रसीदतोऽत्यन्तशमं स्वत: स्वयम् ।

यन्नित्यसम्बन्धनिषेवया तत:

परं किमत्रास्ति मुखं हविर्भुजाम् ॥ ४० ॥

pumāḻ labhetānativelam ātmanaḥ

prasīdato ’tyanta-śamaṁ svataḥ svayam

yan-nitya-sambandha-niṣevayā tataḥ

paraṁ kim atrāsti mukhaṁ havir-bhujām

Translation

By regular service to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, one can clear the dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from material attachment and be satisfied. In this world there is no fruitive activity superior to serving the brāhmaṇa class, for this can bring pleasure to the demigods, for whom the many sacrifices are recommended.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Regular Service Purifies the Heart

  1. 1

    Regular service to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas clears the heart and brings peace, satisfaction and freedom from material attachment. Such service is essential for true self-satisfaction.

  2. 2

    A spiritual atmosphere is maintained by living among devotees and serving the orders of the ācāryas. One should take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and serve him and his associates.

  3. 3

    Birth alone does not establish someone as a genuine brāhmaṇa or Vaiṣṇava. Serving genuine devotees and following the principles of bhakti-yoga can bring liberation without severe penances and austerities.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it is essential to render service to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas to achieve the perfection of self-satisfaction.
  • The particular use of the word anativelam, “without delay,” is very significant because simply by serving brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas one can get liberation.
  • In his previous birth, he was simply a maidservant’s son, but he got the opportunity to serve exalted brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, and thus in his next life he not only became liberated, but became famous as the supreme spiritual master of the entire Vaiṣṇava disciplic succession.

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· 2

The purport of SB 4.21.40 quotesBG 2.65

In Bhagavad-gītā (2.65) it is said, prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate.

The purport of SB 4.21.40 quotesBG 2.41

This has been very clearly explained by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura in his explanation of the verse vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana.

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. pumāna person
  2. labhetacan achieve
  3. anati-velamwithout delay
  4. ātmanaḥof his soul
  5. prasīdataḥbeing satisfied
  6. atyantathe greatest
  7. śamampeace
  8. svataḥautomatically
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • 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

How can I make service to genuine devotees a regular part of my life?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to help a genuine devotee with a practical task.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRegular Service Purifies the HeartThis 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.

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