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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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras
4.22.104.22.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.22.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

व्यालालयद्रुमा वै तेष्वरिक्ताखिलसम्पद: ।

यद्गृहास्तीर्थपादीयपादतीर्थविवर्जिता: ॥ ११ ॥

vyālālaya-drumā vai teṣv

ariktākhila-sampadaḥ

yad-gṛhās tīrtha-pādīya-

pādatīrtha-vivarjitāḥ

Translation

On the contrary, even though full of all opulence and material prosperity, any householder’s house where the devotees of the Lord are never allowed to come in, and where there is no water for washing their feet, is to be considered a tree in which all venomous serpents live.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Welcome the Lord’s Devotees

  1. 1

    Even a prosperous house that excludes the Lord’s devotees is compared to a tree sheltering venomous serpents. Wealth does not make envy toward saintly persons auspicious.

  2. 2

    Vaiṣṇavas know that the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Brahman effulgence rests upon Him.

  3. 3

    Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs travel to enlighten householders, making the places they visit places of pilgrimage. They should be welcomed respectfully rather than kept away.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word tīrtha-pādīya indicates devotees of Lord Viṣṇu, or Vaiṣṇavas.
  • It is mentioned here that any house which does not receive a Vaiṣṇava in the manner already explained in the previous verse is to be considered the residential quarters of venomous serpents.
  • Sandalwood is very cold, and venomous serpents, because of their poisonous teeth, are always very warm, and they take shelter of the sandalwood trees to become cooler.

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 4.22.11 quotesBG 14.27

The Vaiṣṇavas know that the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Person and that the Brahman effulgence is based on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (14.27): brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham.

The purport of SB 4.22.11 quotesSB 1.13.10

In the Bhāgavatam (1.13.10) there is also another reference: tīrthī-kurvanti tīrthāni.

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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras

The four Kumāras instruct Pṛthu, who dedicates himself and the fruits of his activities to the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vyālavenomous serpents
  2. ālayahome
  3. drumāḥtree
  4. vaicertainly
  5. teṣuin those houses
  6. ariktaabundantly
  7. akhilaall
  8. sampadaḥopulences
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “householder’s”, “material”, “householders”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “sheltering”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to welcome devotees and receive their spiritual guidance?

Practice

Contact a devotee today and respectfully ask for an opportunity to hear spiritual guidance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 1.13.10

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.22's connections

Live this todayWelcome the Lord’s DevoteesThis 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 4.22.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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