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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 23: Mahārāja Pṛthu’s Going Back Home
4.23.294.23.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.23.30inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

इत्थम्भूतानुभावोऽसौ पृथु: स भगवत्तम: ।

कीर्तितं तस्य चरितमुद्दामचरितस्य ते ॥ ३० ॥

ittham-bhūtānubhāvo ’sau

pṛthuḥ sa bhagavattamaḥ

kīrtitaṁ tasya caritam

uddāma-caritasya te

Translation

Maitreya continued: The greatest of all devotees, Mahārāja Pṛthu, was very powerful, and his character was liberal, magnificent and magnanimous. Thus I have described him to you as far as possible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Greatness of an Extraordinary Devotee

  1. 1

    Maitreya describes Mahārāja Pṛthu as the greatest of devotees, powerful, liberal, magnificent and magnanimous. He has described Pṛthu’s character as far as possible.

  2. 2

    The word bhagavat especially refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The related title bhagavān is sometimes also used for exceptionally great personalities.

  3. 3

    Such an honorific is not meant for ordinary persons. It may recognize extraordinary qualities, attainment of the highest destination, or knowledge of the difference between knowledge and ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word bhagavattamaḥ is very significant, for the word bhagavat is used especially to refer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the word bhagavān, “the Supreme Personality of Godhead,” is derived from the word bhagavat.
  • Sometimes, however, we see that the word bhagavān is used for great personalities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Nārada Muni.
  • In other words, the word bhagavān should not be used for ordinary persons.

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 23: Mahārāja Pṛthu’s Going Back Home

Pṛthu practices forest austerities and fixed devotion to Kṛṣṇa, then departs; Arci’s faithful service is praised.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ittham-bhūtathus
  2. anubhāvaḥvery great, powerful
  3. asauthat
  4. pṛthuḥKing Pṛthu
  5. saḥhe
  6. bhagavat-tamaḥthe best among the lords
  7. kīrtitamdescribed
  8. tasyahis
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 4.23

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 does Pṛthu’s character teach me about genuine greatness?

Practice

Read the translation again and write down one quality of Pṛthu that you want to appreciate more deeply.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Greatness of an Extraordinary DevoteeThis 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 4.23.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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