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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 23: Mahārāja Pṛthu’s Going Back Home
4.23.334.23.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.34

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

अस्पष्टकीर्ति: सुयशा मूर्खो भवति पण्डित: ।

इदं स्वस्त्ययनं पुंसाममङ्गल्यनिवारणम् ॥ ३४ ॥

aspaṣṭa-kīrtiḥ suyaśā

mūrkho bhavati paṇḍitaḥ

idaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ puṁsām

amaṅgalya-nivāraṇam

Translation

Also, one who hears this narration three times will become very reputable if he is not recognized in society, and he will become a great scholar if he is illiterate. In other words, hearing of the narrations of Pṛthu Mahārāja is so auspicious that it drives away all bad luck.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Hearing Brings Good Fortune

  1. 1

    Hearing Pṛthu’s narration three times is described as bringing reputation to the unrecognized and learning to the illiterate. This hearing is auspicious and drives away bad fortune.

  2. 2

    By hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, one can become recognized as learned. Association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotee brings benefits in every respect.

  3. 3

    Although the material world is full of dangers, a devotee has no fear because devotional service counteracts bad fortune. Hearing about Pṛthu is itself an item of devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Even if one is not known or recognized by society, he becomes very famous and important if he takes to devotional service and preaching.
  • As far as education is concerned, one can become recognized in society as a great learned scholar simply by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, wherein the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees are described.
  • Since hearing about Pṛthu Mahārāja is one of the items of devotional service (śravaṇam), naturally hearing about him brings all good fortune.

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. aspaṣṭa-kīrtiḥunmanifested reputation
  2. su-yaśāḥvery famous
  3. mūrkhaḥilliterate
  4. bhavatibecomes
  5. paṇḍitaḥlearned
  6. idamthis
  7. svasti-ayanamauspiciousness
  8. puṁsāmof the men
  9. amaṅgalyainauspiciousness
  10. nivāraṇamprohibiting
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “hearing”, “narration”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “fear”, “dangers”

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 might remembering the auspiciousness of devotional hearing help me face uncertainty?

Practice

Read a passage about Pṛthu today with attention to hearing as devotional service, rather than merely collecting information.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Hearing Brings Good FortuneThis 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.

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