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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

4.22.59 4.22.61

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.60

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

मातरिश्वेव सर्वात्मा बलेन महसौजसा ।

अविषह्यतया देवो भगवान् भूतराडिव ॥ ६० ॥

mātariśveva sarvātmā

balena mahasaujasā

aviṣahyatayā devo

bhagavān bhūta-rāḍ iva

Translation

In his bodily strength and in the strength of his senses, Mahārāja Pṛthu was as strong as the wind, which can go anywhere and everywhere. As far as his intolerance was concerned, he was just like the all-powerful Rudra expansion of Lord Śiva, or Sadāśiva.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Extraordinary Strength and Formidable Power

1
Pṛthu Mahārāja possessed extraordinary bodily strength.
2
The strength of his senses was also compared to the wind, which can go anywhere and everywhere.
3
In his intolerance, he was compared to the all-powerful Rudra expansion of Lord Śiva, or Sadāśiva.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

mātariśvāthe air
ivalike
sarva-ātmāall-pervading
balenaby bodily strength
mahasā ojasāby courage and power
aviṣahyatayāby intolerance
devaḥthe demigod
bhagavānthe most powerful
bhūta-rāṭ ivalike Rudra, or Sadāśiva

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

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do these comparisons help me understand about Pṛthu Mahārāja’s strength?

Practice

Reread the translation and identify which qualities are compared to the wind and to Rudra.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayExtraordinary Strength and Formidable PowerThis 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 4.22.60? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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