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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
4.21.74.21.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 4.21.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सूत उवाच

तदादिराजस्य यशो विजृम्भितं

गुणैरशेषैर्गुणवत्सभाजितम् ।

क्षत्ता महाभागवत: सदस्पते

कौषारविं प्राह गृणन्तमर्चयन् ॥ ८ ॥

sūta uvāca

tad ādi-rājasya yaśo vijṛmbhitaṁ

guṇair aśeṣair guṇavat-sabhājitam

kṣattā mahā-bhāgavataḥ sadaspate

kauṣāraviṁ prāha gṛṇantam arcayan

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī continued: O Śaunaka, leader of the great sages, after hearing Maitreya speak about the various activities of King Pṛthu, the original king, who was fully qualified, glorified and widely praised all over the world, Vidura, the great devotee, very submissively worshiped Maitreya Ṛṣi and asked him the following question.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear and Inquire with Humility

  1. 1

    Sūta Gosvāmī described to Śaunaka how Vidura heard Maitreya speak about King Pṛthu’s activities.

  2. 2

    King Pṛthu was fully qualified, glorified and widely praised throughout the world.

  3. 3

    Vidura, a great devotee, very submissively worshiped Maitreya Ṛṣi before asking his question.

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. sūtaḥ uvācaSūta Gosvāmī said
  2. tatthat
  3. ādi-rājasyaof the original king
  4. yaśaḥreputation
  5. vijṛmbhitamhighly qualified
  6. guṇaiḥby qualities
  7. aśeṣaiḥunlimited
  8. guṇa-vatfittingly
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: “hearing”, “glorified”, “heard”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worshiped”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring greater humility and respect to my spiritual questions?

Practice

Write one sincere question from today’s reading, approaching it with respect for the teacher.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear and Inquire with HumilityThis 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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