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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
4.22.324.22.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.33

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

अर्थेन्द्रियार्थाभिध्यानं सर्वार्थापह्नवो नृणाम् ।

भ्रंशितो ज्ञानविज्ञानाद्येनाविशति मुख्यताम् ॥ ३३ ॥

arthendriyārthābhidhyānaṁ

sarvārthāpahnavo nṛṇām

bhraṁśito jñāna-vijñānād

yenāviśati mukhyatām

Translation

For human society, constantly thinking of how to earn money and apply it for sense gratification brings about the destruction of everyone’s interests. When one becomes devoid of knowledge and devotional service, he enters into species of life like those of trees and stones.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Put Spiritual Knowledge Into Practice

  1. 1

    Jñāna means understanding one’s constitutional position, and vijñāna means applying that knowledge in life. Human life offers the opportunity to develop both through a spiritual master and the śāstras.

  2. 2

    Constantly planning how to earn money and spend it on sense gratification obstructs self-realization. Misusing human life and neglecting spiritual knowledge can lead to birth among nonmoving living entities.

  3. 3

    The purpose is not to stop all activity but to purify it. Our activities should gradually be directed toward devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • In the human form of life, one should come to the position of jñāna and vijñāna.
  • Nonmoving living entities include hills, mountains, trees, plants, etc. This stage of life is called puṇyatām or mukhyatām, namely, making all activities zero.
  • One who is constantly thinking of activities to earn money and gratify the senses is following a path which is suicidal.

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. arthariches
  2. indriya-arthafor the satisfaction of the senses
  3. abhidhyānamconstantly thinking of
  4. sarva-arthafour kinds of achievements
  5. apahnavaḥdestructive
  6. nṛṇāmof human society
  7. bhraṁśitaḥbeing devoid of
  8. jñānaknowledge
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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 put one spiritual teaching into practice instead of merely knowing it?

Practice

Choose one teaching from today’s reading and apply it in one small act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPut Spiritual Knowledge Into PracticeThis 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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