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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
4.22.54.22.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

हाटकासन आसीनान् स्वधिष्ण्येष्विव पावकान् ।

श्रद्धासंयमसंयुक्त: प्रीत: प्राह भवाग्रजान् ॥ ६ ॥

hāṭakāsana āsīnān

sva-dhiṣṇyeṣv iva pāvakān

śraddhā-saṁyama-saṁyuktaḥ

prītaḥ prāha bhavāgrajān

Translation

The four great sages were elder to Lord Śiva, and when they were seated on the golden throne, they appeared just like fire blazing on an altar. Mahārāja Pṛthu, out of his great gentleness and respect for them, began to speak with great restraint as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Life Dedicated to Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Kumāras declined Lord Brahmā’s request to marry and increase the population. They wanted to remain brahmacārī and engage fully in the Lord’s devotional service.

  2. 2

    They are called naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī because they never marry. They appeared before Lord Śiva, who arose from between Lord Brahmā’s eyes when he became angry.

  3. 3

    Seated on the golden throne, the sages appeared like fire blazing on an altar. Pṛthu Mahārāja addressed them gently, respectfully, and with great restraint.

Key points from the purport
  • The Kumāras are described herein as the elder brothers of Lord Śiva.
  • From between his eyes, Lord Śiva, or Rudra, appeared.
  • Lord Śiva also has a sampradāya party, known as the Rudra sampradāya, and they are also known as Vaiṣṇavas.

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. hāṭaka-āsaneon the throne made of gold
  2. āsīnānwhen they were seated
  3. sva-dhiṣṇyeṣuon the altar
  4. ivalike
  5. pāvakānfire
  6. śraddhārespect
  7. saṁyamarestraint
  8. saṁyuktaḥbeing decorated with
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”

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

What small choice would help me give more attention to devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a short, uninterrupted period today for devotional service to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Life Dedicated to 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 4.22.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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