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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
4.22.484.22.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.49

Mukti· Liberation
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

वैन्यस्तु धुर्यो महतां संस्थित्याध्यात्मशिक्षया ।

आप्तकाममिवात्मानं मेन आत्मन्यवस्थित: ॥ ४९ ॥

vainyas tu dhuryo mahatāṁ

saṁsthityādhyātma-śikṣayā

āpta-kāmam ivātmānaṁ

mena ātmany avasthitaḥ

Translation

Amongst great personalities, Mahārāja Pṛthu was the chief by virtue of his fixed position in relation to spiritual enlightenment. He remained satisfied as one who has achieved all success in spiritual understanding.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lasting Satisfaction Comes Through Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    Remaining fixed in devotional service gives the utmost self-satisfaction. Pure devotees have no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is fully satisfied in Himself. A devotee whose only desire is to serve Him also finds peace and self-satisfaction.

  3. 3

    Great souls are under the protection of the spiritual energy and remain engaged in the Lord’s service. Pṛthu Mahārāja displayed these qualities and was foremost among them.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually self-satisfaction can be achieved only by pure devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Similarly, a devotee who has no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead is as self-satisfied as the Supreme Lord.
  • Because of this, the real mahātmā is always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord.

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 4.22.49 quotesBG 9.13

In Bhagavad-gītā (9.13) Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks of mahātmās in this way: “O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vainyaḥthe son of Vena Mahārāja (Pṛthu)
  2. tuof course
  3. dhuryaḥthe chief
  4. mahatāmof great personalities
  5. saṁsthityābeing completely fixed
  6. ādhyātma-śikṣayāin the matter of self-realization
  7. āptaachieved
  8. kāmamdesires
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “protection”

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

Where am I seeking satisfaction apart from serving the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes for devotional service with the simple intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLasting Satisfaction Comes Through Pure DevotionThis 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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