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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
4.22.144.22.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.15

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.22.14inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तदहं कृतविश्रम्भ: सुहृदो वस्तपस्विनाम् ।

सम्पृच्छे भव एतस्मिन् क्षेम: केनाञ्जसा भवेत् ॥ १५ ॥

tad ahaṁ kṛta-viśrambhaḥ

suhṛdo vas tapasvinām

sampṛcche bhava etasmin

kṣemaḥ kenāñjasā bhavet

Translation

I am completely assured that personalities like you are the only friends for persons who are blazing in the fire of material existence. I therefore ask you how in this material world we can very soon achieve the ultimate goal of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Saintly Association and Chant

  1. 1

    Saintly persons visit materially absorbed people for their benefit, not for personal gain. They offer guidance toward real auspiciousness.

  2. 2

    Pṛthu Mahārāja’s inquiry teaches us to approach saintly persons with surrender and ask how to escape the pains of material existence. Such an opportunity should not be wasted.

  3. 3

    The purport directs those suffering material pains to associate with pure devotees and take shelter of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. This is the auspicious path for materially absorbed people.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu was assured of this fact; therefore instead of wasting time by asking the Kumāras about their welfare, he preferred to inquire from them whether he could soon be relieved from the dangerous position of materialistic existence.
  • One can get rid of all these material pains only when he takes shelter of the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
  • The conclusion is that all persons in this material world are suffering from material pains, and if one wants to get rid of them he must associate with saintly persons, pure devotees of the Lord, and chant the mahā-mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. ahamI
  3. kṛta-viśrambhaḥbeing completely assured
  4. su-hṛdaḥfriend
  5. vaḥour
  6. tapasvināmsuffering material pangs
  7. sampṛcchewish to inquire
  8. bhavein this material world
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “materially”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “surrender”, “shelter”

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

How can I make more room for saintly association and chanting?

Practice

Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Saintly Association and ChantThis 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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