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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
4.21.474.21.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.48

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:All the saintly brāhmaṇassince 4.21.48inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

वीरवर्य पित: पृथ्व्या: समा: सञ्जीव शाश्वती: ।

यस्येद‍ृश्यच्युते भक्ति: सर्वलोकैकभर्तरि ॥ ४८ ॥

vīra-varya pitaḥ pṛthvyāḥ

samāḥ sañjīva śāśvatīḥ

yasyedṛśy acyute bhaktiḥ

sarva-lokaika-bhartari

Translation

All the saintly brāhmaṇas thus addressed Pṛthu Mahārāja: O best of the warriors, O father of this globe, may you be blessed with a long life, for you have great devotion to the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Gives Life Lasting Value

  1. 1

    The saintly persons blessed Pṛthu Mahārāja with a long life because of his unflinching faith and devotion. The Lord he served is the master of the entire universe.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that a devotee can surpass the prescribed duration of life. It also describes how a devotee lives on through a lasting good reputation.

  3. 3

    The greatest reputation is to be known as a great devotee of the Lord. Such a devotee lives forever in the Vaikuṇṭha planets and is remembered in this world.

Key points from the purport
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja was blessed by the saintly persons present at the meeting to have a long life because of his unflinching faith and his devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Another feature of a devotee is that he lives forever because of his infallible devotion to the Lord.
  • Rāmānanda Rāya replied that a person who is reputed as a great devotee has the greatest reputation, for a devotee not only lives forever in the Vaikuṇṭha planets, but by his reputation he also lives forever within this material world.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vīra-varyathe best of the warriors
  2. pitaḥthe father
  3. pṛthvyāḥof the globe
  4. samāḥequal to in years
  5. sañjīvalive
  6. śāśvatīḥforever
  7. yasyawhose
  8. īdṛśīlike this
3

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: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “blessed”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “father”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value being known for devotion more than being known for other achievements?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes in devotional service today without seeking recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Gives Life Lasting ValueThis 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 4.21.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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