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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
4.22.174.22.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sanat-kumārasince 4.22.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सनत्कुमार उवाच

साधु पृष्टं महाराज सर्वभूतहितात्मना ।

भवता विदुषा चापि साधूनां मतिरीद‍ृशी ॥ १८ ॥

sanat-kumāra uvāca

sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ mahārāja

sarva-bhūta-hitātmanā

bhavatā viduṣā cāpi

sādhūnāṁ matir īdṛśī

Translation

Sanat-kumāra said: My dear King Pṛthu, I am very nicely questioned by you. Such questions are beneficial for all living entities, especially because they are raised by you, who are always thinking of the good of others. Although you know everything, you ask such questions because that is the behavior of saintly persons. Such intelligence is befitting your position.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humble Questions Benefit Everyone

  1. 1

    Although Pṛthu Mahārāja knew transcendental science, he approached the Kumāras as if he knew nothing. Even an exalted person should present questions before a superior.

  2. 2

    Questions put before the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotees are meant for the benefit of the general people.

  3. 3

    Saintly persons are always thinking of the good of others. Their willingness to inquire gives others an opportunity to learn.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu was well conversant in transcendental science, yet he presented himself before the Kumāras as one ignorant of it.
  • Similarly, Pṛthu Mahārāja knew everything, but he presented himself before the Kumāras as if he did not know anything.
  • Therefore sometimes great personalities put themselves in that position and inquire from a higher authority because they are always thinking of the benefit of others.

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. sanat-kumāraḥ uvācaSanat-kumāra said
  2. sādhusaintly
  3. pṛṣṭamquestion
  4. mahārājamy dear King
  5. sarva-bhūtaall living entities
  6. hita-ātmanāby one who desires good for all
  7. bhavatāby you
  8. viduṣāwell learned
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “inquire”

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 could I ask a sincere question that would help others as well as myself?

Practice

Write down one question about spiritual life to respectfully ask a devotee, keeping others’ benefit in mind.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumble Questions Benefit EveryoneThis 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 4.22.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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