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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
4.22.284.22.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.29

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

निमित्ते सति सर्वत्र जलादावपि पूरुष: ।

आत्मनश्च परस्यापि भिदां पश्यति नान्यदा ॥ २९ ॥

nimitte sati sarvatra

jalādāv api pūruṣaḥ

ātmanaś ca parasyāpi

bhidāṁ paśyati nānyadā

Translation

Only because of different causes does a person see a difference between himself and others, just as one sees the reflection of a body appearing differently manifested on water, on oil or in a mirror.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

See Beyond the Outward Covering

  1. 1

    The jīvas are vibhinnāṁśa expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, while His incarnations are svāṁśa expansions. These are different expansions of the same Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    Different bodies make living entities appear different, just as water, oil and a mirror reflect one subject differently. One who is actually learned sees the living entity, not the outward covering.

  3. 3

    By practicing bhakti-yoga, one reaches the stage of seeing only Kṛṣṇa everywhere. Those who understand themselves as servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not divide people by bodily designations.

Key points from the purport
  • The jīvas are vibhinnāṁśa expansions; the different incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are svāṁśa expansions.
  • Thus there are different potencies of the Supreme Lord, and there are different expansions of the different potencies.
  • In conclusion, due to different causes, the living entity is visible in different forms as an animal, human being, demigod, tree, etc. Actually every living entity is the marginal potency of the Supreme Lord.

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· 1

The purport of SB 4.22.29 quotesBG 5.18

In Bhagavad-gītā (5.18), therefore, it is explained that one who actually sees the spirit soul does not distinguish between a learned brāhmaṇa and a dog, an elephant or a cow.

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. nimitteon account of causes
  2. satibeing
  3. sarvatraeverywhere
  4. jala-ādau apiwater and other reflecting media
  5. pūruṣaḥthe person
  6. ātmanaḥoneself
  7. caand
  8. parasya apianother’s self
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: “bhakti-yoga”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

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 would seeing someone as a servant of the Supreme Lord change my attitude toward them?

Practice

When meeting someone today, consciously look beyond their bodily appearance and remember that they too are a living entity belonging to the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySee Beyond the Outward CoveringThis 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 4.22.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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