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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
4.22.244.22.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sanat-kumārasince 4.22.20inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

हरेर्मुहुस्तत्परकर्णपूर

गुणाभिधानेन विजृम्भमाणया ।

भक्त्या ह्यसङ्ग: सदसत्यनात्मनि

स्यान्निर्गुणे ब्रह्मणि चाञ्जसा रति: ॥ २५ ॥

harer muhus tatpara-karṇa-pūra-

guṇābhidhānena vijṛmbhamāṇayā

bhaktyā hy asaṅgaḥ sad-asaty anātmani

syān nirguṇe brahmaṇi cāñjasā ratiḥ

Translation

The devotee should gradually increase the culture of devotional service by constant hearing of the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These pastimes are like ornamental decorations on the ears of devotees. By rendering devotional service and transcending the material qualities, one can easily be fixed in transcendence in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Deepens Devotion and Detachment

  1. 1

    Hearing Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from realized souls increases our inclination toward devotional service. The Lord’s pastimes are like ornaments for the devotees’ ears.

  2. 2

    As devotional life advances, attachment to the material world decreases and attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead increases. Progress requires losing interest in sense enjoyment and association centered on money and sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because this verse speaks of devotion and transcendental qualities, its reference to Brahman means the Supreme Lord, not the impersonal Brahman.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the impersonalists, there are no transcendental qualities in the impersonal Brahman; therefore we should understand that brahmaṇi means “in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
  • Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as admitted by Arjuna in Bhagavad-gītā; therefore wherever the word brahma is used, it must refer to Kṛṣṇa, not to the impersonal Brahman effulgence.
  • Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān can all be taken in total as Brahman, but when there is reference to the word bhakti or remembrance of the transcendental qualities, this indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not the impersonal Brahman.

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 4.22.25 quotesCC Madhya 11.8

hā hanta hanta viṣa-bhakṣaṇato ’py asādhu. The word brahmaṇi used in this verse is commented upon by the impersonalists or professional reciters of Bhāgavatam, who are mainly advocates of the caste system by demoniac birthright.

The purport of SB 4.22.25 quotesSB 1.2.11

Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate. Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān can all be taken in total as Brahman, but when there is reference to the word bhakti or remembrance of the transcendental qualities, this indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not the impersonal Brahman.

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. hareḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. muhuḥconstantly
  3. tat-parain relation with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. karṇa-pūradecoration of the ear
  5. guṇa-abhidhānenadiscussing transcendental qualities
  6. vijṛmbhamāṇayāby increasing Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  7. bhaktyāby devotion
  8. hicertainly
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “devotees’”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”, “sense gratification”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

What kind of hearing am I making room for, and how does it influence my desire to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to hear Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam explained by a realized soul.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Deepens Devotion and DetachmentThis 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 4.22.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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