1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.22.514.22.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.52

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

गृहेषु वर्तमानोऽपि स साम्राज्यश्रियान्वित: ।

नासज्जतेन्द्रियार्थेषु निरहंमतिरर्कवत् ॥ ५२ ॥

gṛheṣu vartamāno ’pi

sa sāmrājya-śriyānvitaḥ

nāsajjatendriyārtheṣu

niraham-matir arkavat

Translation

Mahārāja Pṛthu, who was very opulent due to the prosperity of his entire empire, remained at home as a householder. Since he was never inclined to utilize his opulences for the gratification of his senses, he remained unattached, exactly like the sun, which is unaffected in all circumstances.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Your Resources Without Attachment

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja lived as a householder with immense wealth, yet he did not use it for his own sense gratification. This showed his pure devotion to the Lord.

  2. 2

    Material life aims at personal sense gratification, while devotional life aims at satisfying the Lord’s senses.

  3. 3

    Like the sun, which purifies polluted places without becoming polluted, a pure devotee remains unaffected by material activities. He purifies those activities by engaging them in the Lord’s service.

Key points from the purport
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja was special in that although he was given license to remain a householder, and although he possessed immense opulences in his kingdom, he never engaged in sense gratification.
  • Similarly, a devotee may engage in so many material activities, but because he has no desire for sense gratification, they never affect him.
  • Since a pure devotee knows how to utilize everything for the Lord’s service, he is never affected by material activities.

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. gṛheṣuat home
  2. vartamānaḥbeing present
  3. apialthough
  4. saḥKing Pṛthu
  5. sāmrājyathe entire empire
  6. śriyāopulence
  7. anvitaḥbeing absorbed in
  8. nanever
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “householder”, “sense gratification”, “wealth”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “purifies”

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 use something I possess for the Lord’s satisfaction rather than only my own?

Practice

Choose one resource you already have and put it to a specific use in the Lord’s service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Your Resources Without AttachmentThis 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 4.22.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories