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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
4.21.404.21.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.41

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

अश्नात्यनन्त: खलु तत्त्वकोविदै:

श्रद्धाहुतं यन्मुख इज्यनामभि: ।

न वै तथा चेतनया बहिष्कृते

हुताशने पारमहंस्यपर्यगु: ॥ ४१ ॥

aśnāty anantaḥ khalu tattva-kovidaiḥ

śraddhā-hutaṁ yan-mukha ijya-nāmabhiḥ

na vai tathā cetanayā bahiṣ-kṛte

hutāśane pāramahaṁsya-paryaguḥ

Translation

Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ananta, eats through the fire sacrifices offered in the names of the different demigods, He does not take as much pleasure in eating through fire as He does in accepting offerings through the mouths of learned sages and devotees, for then He does not leave the association of devotees.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Feeding Devotees Pleases the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Fire sacrifices offered in the names of different demigods are meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet He takes greater pleasure in accepting offerings through learned sages and devotees.

  2. 2

    The Lord does not leave the company of His devotees. He remains where they glorify His activities.

  3. 3

    Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are living representatives of the Supreme Lord. Feeding them directly feeds Him and is more effective than offering oblations into sacrificial fire.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Vedic injunctions, a fire sacrifice is held in order to give food to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the names of the different demigods.
  • Therefore to feed brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas is to feed the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.
  • Advaita Prabhu replied that He was feeding millions of first-class brāhmaṇas by offering the food to Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

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. aśnātieats
  2. anantaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. khalunevertheless
  4. tattva-kovidaiḥpersons in knowledge of the Absolute Truth
  5. śraddhāfaith
  6. hutamoffering fire sacrifices
  7. yat-mukhewhose mouth
  8. ijya-nāmabhiḥby different names of demigods
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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”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “glorify”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How would remembering the Lord’s pleasure change my attitude when serving food to a devotee?

Practice

Offer food to a Vaiṣṇava today, remembering that this service pleases the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFeeding Devotees Pleases the Supreme LordThis 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 4.21.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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