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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
4.22.314.22.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.32

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

नात: परतरो लोके पुंस: स्वार्थव्यतिक्रम: ।

यदध्यन्यस्य प्रेयस्त्वमात्मन: स्वव्यतिक्रमात् ॥ ३२ ॥

nātaḥ parataro loke

puṁsaḥ svārtha-vyatikramaḥ

yad-adhy anyasya preyastvam

ātmanaḥ sva-vyatikramāt

Translation

There is no stronger obstruction to one’s self-interest than thinking other subject matters to be more pleasing than one’s self-realization.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Self-Realization Your True Interest

  1. 1

    Human life is especially meant for self-realization. This includes understanding both the individual living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Becoming more interested in the body and sense gratification creates obstructions to self-realization. Thinking other pursuits more pleasing than self-realization is the strongest obstruction to our true interest.

  3. 3

    Instead of seeking our own sense gratification, we should direct our activities toward satisfying the senses of the Supreme Soul. Activities contrary to this principle work against our real welfare.

Key points from the purport
  • When, however, one becomes more interested in the body and bodily sense gratification, he creates for himself obstructions on the path of self-realization.
  • By the influence of māyā, one becomes more interested in sense gratification, which is prohibited in this world for those interested in self-realization.
  • Instead of becoming interested in sense gratification, one should divert his activities to satisfy the senses of the Supreme Soul.

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. nanot
  2. ataḥafter this
  3. parataraḥgreater
  4. lokein this world
  5. puṁsaḥof the living entities
  6. sva-arthainterest
  7. vyatikramaḥobstruction
  8. yat-adhibeyond that
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 am I treating as more important than self-realization?

Practice

Before one activity today, pause and consider how to direct it toward satisfying the Supreme Lord rather than only yourself.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Self-Realization Your True InterestThis 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 4.22.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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