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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
4.22.474.22.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.48

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.48inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

त आत्मयोगपतय आदिराजेन पूजिता: ।

शीलं तदीयं शंसन्त: खेऽभवन्मिषतां नृणाम् ॥ ४८ ॥

maitreya uvāca

ta ātma-yoga-pataya

ādi-rājena pūjitāḥ

śīlaṁ tadīyaṁ śaṁsantaḥ

khe ’bhavan miṣatāṁ nṛṇām

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus worshiped by Mahārāja Pṛthu, the four Kumāras, who were masters of devotional service, became very pleased. Indeed, they appeared in the sky and praised the character of the King, and everyone observed them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humility Pleases Masters of Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The four Kumāras, masters of devotional service, were greatly pleased by Pṛthu Mahārāja’s worship.

  2. 2

    They praised the King’s character, especially his devotional attitude and humility.

  3. 3

    The Kumāras could travel through space without machines. By Pṛthu Mahārāja’s grace, the common citizens could see them departing through the sky.

Key points from the purport
  • Like the great sage Nārada, the Kumāras do not require any machine to travel in space.
  • The Kumāras, however, praised the characteristics of Mahārāja Pṛthu and his great devotional attitude and humility.
  • It was by the grace of Mahārāja Pṛthu that the common citizens in his domain could see the Kumāras flying in outer space.

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 continued to speak
  2. tethey
  3. ātma-yoga-patayaḥthe masters of self-realization by devotional service
  4. ādi-rājenaby the original king (Pṛthu)
  5. pūjitāḥbeing worshiped
  6. śīlamcharacter
  7. tadīyamof the King
  8. śaṁsantaḥeulogizing
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worshiped”, “worship”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “king”, “king’s”, “citizens”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “humility”

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 bring more humility into the way I honor those who teach devotional service?

Practice

Express appreciation for a teacher of devotional service with a few humble, sincere words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumility Pleases Masters of Devotional ServiceThis 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 4.22.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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