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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
4.22.354.22.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.36

Nirodha· Winding up
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

परेऽवरे च ये भावा गुणव्यतिकरादनु ।

न तेषां विद्यते क्षेममीशविध्वंसिताशिषाम् ॥ ३६ ॥

pare ’vare ca ye bhāvā

guṇa-vyatikarād anu

na teṣāṁ vidyate kṣemam

īśa-vidhvaṁsitāśiṣām

Translation

We accept as blessings different states of higher life, distinguishing them from lower states of life, but we should know that such distinctions exist only in relation to the interchange of the modes of material nature. Actually these states of life have no permanent existence, for all of them will be destroyed by the supreme controller.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Shelter Beyond Temporary Material Blessings

  1. 1

    Higher and lower material conditions arise through the interaction of goodness, passion and ignorance. Even life on the highest planetary systems will be destroyed at the dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.

  2. 2

    Our highest achievement is to go to the spiritual world and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Our real engagement should be inquiry into life's purpose and devotional service to the Lord.

  3. 3

    The Lord may show special favor by removing material opulences that obstruct a devotee's service. Such loss can enrich spiritual understanding and lead the devotee to take firm shelter of Him.

Key points from the purport
  • When religion, economic development and sense gratification are adjusted, liberation from this material birth, death, old age and disease is assured.
  • Persons who are too much addicted to the childish activities of economic development and sense gratification are sometimes especially favored by the Lord when He destroys their construction of these things.
  • The Lord, in order to show him a special favor, destroys his so-called economic development and material opulences.

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 4.22.36 quotesBG 8.16

The Lord therefore says in Bhagavad-gītā (8.16): Even though we elevate ourselves to the highest planetary system by the scientific advancement of knowledge or by the religious principles of life — great sacrifices and fruitive activities — at the time of dissolution these higher planetary systems and life on them will be destroyed.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. parein the higher status of life
  2. avarein the lower status of life
  3. caand
  4. yeall those
  5. bhāvāḥconceptions
  6. guṇamaterial qualities
  7. vyatikarātby interaction
  8. anufollowing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “blessings”, “favor”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee's”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

Am I seeking temporary material blessings, or lasting shelter in devotional service?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today from pursuing material gain to reread this verse's teaching on life's real purpose.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.22's connections

Live this todaySeek Shelter Beyond Temporary Material BlessingsThis 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 4.22.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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