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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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras
4.22.114.22.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

स्वागतं वो द्विजश्रेष्ठा यद्‌व्रतानि मुमुक्षव: ।

चरन्ति श्रद्धया धीरा बाला एव बृहन्ति च ॥ १२ ॥

svāgataṁ vo dvija-śreṣṭhā

yad-vratāni mumukṣavaḥ

caranti śraddhayā dhīrā

bālā eva bṛhanti ca

Translation

Mahārāja Pṛthu offered his welcome to the four Kumāras, addressing them as the best of the brāhmaṇas. He welcomed them, saying: From the beginning of your birth you strictly observed the vows of celibacy, and although you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keeping yourselves just like small children.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect Vaiṣṇavas Beyond Their Birth

  1. 1

    The Kumāras maintained celibacy from birth and purposefully remained small children to protect their vow. Pṛthu Mahārāja deeply appreciated their steady discipline.

  2. 2

    The Kumāras were honored as the best of the brāhmaṇas not merely because of their birth, but because they were Vaiṣṇavas. Their disciplic succession is known as the Nimbārka sampradāya.

  3. 3

    One should offer respect to a Vaiṣṇava without considering the circumstances of birth. The purport emphasizes honoring a Vaiṣṇava as the best of the brāhmaṇas.

Key points from the purport
  • This is the significance of the life of the Kumāras, and as such Mahārāja Pṛthu addressed them as the best of the brāhmaṇas.
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu specifically appreciated the position of the Kumāras because they maintained the brahmacarya vow from the very beginning of their birth.
  • The Vaiṣṇava is always the best of the brāhmaṇas, and as such one should offer all respects to a Vaiṣṇava, not only as a brāhmaṇa but as the best of the brāhmaṇas.

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 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. su-āgatamwelcome
  2. vaḥunto you
  3. dvija-śreṣṭhāḥthe best of the brāhmaṇas
  4. yatwhose
  5. vratānivows
  6. mumukṣavaḥof persons desiring liberation
  7. carantibehave
  8. śraddhayāwith great faith
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “children”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “protect”

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

Do I value a devotee’s spiritual qualities more than their family background?

Practice

Offer a devotee a sincere expression of respect for a spiritual quality you appreciate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect Vaiṣṇavas Beyond Their BirthThis 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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