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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
4.22.404.22.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.41inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

स एवं ब्रह्मपुत्रेण कुमारेणात्ममेधसा ।

दर्शितात्मगति: सम्यक्प्रशस्योवाच तं नृप: ॥ ४१ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sa evaṁ brahma-putreṇa

kumāreṇātma-medhasā

darśitātma-gatiḥ samyak

praśasyovāca taṁ nṛpaḥ

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus enlightened in complete spiritual knowledge by the son of Brahmā — one of the Kumāras, who was complete in spiritual knowledge — the King worshiped them in the following words.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Understanding Begins with Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is Paramātmā, the Supreme Lord. A person whose mind acts fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is called ātma-medhāḥ.

  2. 2

    The ātma-medhāḥ always thinks of Kṛṣṇa’s activities. This contrasts with the gṛha-medhī, whose mind is always engrossed in material activities.

  3. 3

    Because Sanat-kumāra was fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, he could show the path of spiritual advancement. This path consists of activities through which one progresses in understanding Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore one whose mind is acting fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is called ātma-medhāḥ.
  • Since Sanat-kumāra, who was a son of Lord Brahmā, was fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, he could point out the path of spiritual advancement.
  • The word ātma-gatiḥ refers to that path of activities by which one can make progress in understanding Kṛṣṇa.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya said
  2. saḥthe King
  3. evamthus
  4. brahma-putreṇaby the son of Lord Brahmā
  5. kumāreṇaby one of the Kumāras
  6. ātma-medhasāwell versed in spiritual knowledge
  7. darśitabeing shown
  8. ātma-gatiḥspiritual advancement
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 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: “worshiped”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “king”

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 much of my thinking helps me understand Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend a few minutes rereading Sanat-kumāra’s instruction, keeping your attention on how it helps you understand Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Understanding Begins with Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 4.22.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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