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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
4.22.74.22.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.22.7inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

किं तस्य दुर्लभतरमिह लोके परत्र च ।

यस्य विप्रा: प्रसीदन्ति शिवो विष्णुश्च सानुग: ॥ ८ ॥

kiṁ tasya durlabhataram

iha loke paratra ca

yasya viprāḥ prasīdanti

śivo viṣṇuś ca sānugaḥ

Translation

Any person upon whom the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are pleased can achieve anything which is very rare to obtain in this world as well as after death. Not only that, but one also receives the favor of the auspicious Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu, who accompany the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pleasing Devotees Pleases the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Out of great love, devotees always carry Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, within their hearts. Although the Lord is in everyone’s heart, they actually perceive Him.

  2. 2

    When the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are pleased with someone, Lord Viṣṇu is also pleased.

  3. 3

    By pleasing the spiritual master, who is both a brāhmaṇa and a Vaiṣṇava, one pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When He is pleased, nothing further remains to be achieved in this world or after death.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord is already in the heart of everyone, but the Vaiṣṇavas and the brāhmaṇas actually perceive and see Him always in ecstasy.
  • Therefore brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are carriers of Viṣṇu.
  • Under the circumstances, the conclusion is that when the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are pleased with a person, Lord Viṣṇu is also pleased.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kimwhat
  2. tasyahis
  3. durlabha-taramvery rare to achieve
  4. ihain this world
  5. lokeworld
  6. paratraafter death
  7. caor
  8. yasyaone whose
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “death”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “favor”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Am I seeking to please the Lord through sincere service to His devotees?

Practice

Offer one small, practical service to a Vaiṣṇava today, with the intention of pleasing the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPleasing Devotees Pleases the Supreme LordThis 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 4.22.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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