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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
4.21.44.21.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.21.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

शङ्खदुन्दुभिघोषेण ब्रह्मघोषेण चर्त्विजाम् ।

विवेश भवनं वीर: स्तूयमानो गतस्मय: ॥ ५ ॥

śaṅkha-dundubhi-ghoṣeṇa

brahma-ghoṣeṇa cartvijām

viveśa bhavanaṁ vīraḥ

stūyamāno gata-smayaḥ

Translation

When the King entered the palace, conchshells and kettledrums were sounded, priests chanted Vedic mantras, and professional reciters offered different prayers. But in spite of all this ceremony to welcome him, the King was not the least bit affected.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Greatness Remains Humble

  1. 1

    Conchshells and kettledrums sounded as the King entered the palace, while priests chanted Vedic mantras and reciters offered prayers.

  2. 2

    Although the reception was full of opulence, the King did not become proud.

  3. 3

    A tree laden with fruits and flowers bends downward rather than standing erect in pride. Such submissiveness marks the character of great personalities.

Key points from the purport
  • The reception given to the King was full of opulence, yet he did not become proud.
  • This is a sign of the wonderful character of great personalities.

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. śaṅkhaconchshells
  2. dundubhikettledrums
  3. ghoṣeṇaby the sound of
  4. brahmaVedic
  5. ghoṣeṇachanting
  6. caalso
  7. ṛtvijāmof the priests
  8. viveśaentered
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanted”, “reciters”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “king”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “pride”, “proud”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I receive praise, do I become proud or remain humble?

Practice

Accept one compliment today with a simple thank-you, without adding praise of yourself.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Greatness Remains HumbleThis 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 4.21.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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