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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
4.23.364.23.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.37

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

मुक्तान्यसङ्गो भगवत्यमलां भक्तिमुद्वहन् ।

वैन्यस्य चरितं पुण्यं श‍ृणुयाच्छ्रावयेत्पठेत् ॥ ३७ ॥

muktānya-saṅgo bhagavaty

amalāṁ bhaktim udvahan

vainyasya caritaṁ puṇyaṁ

śṛṇuyāc chrāvayet paṭhet

Translation

A pure devotee who is executing the different processes of devotional service may be situated in the transcendental position, being completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but even he, while discharging devotional service, must hear, read and induce others to hear about the character and life of Pṛthu Mahārāja.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Advanced Devotees Must Hear

  1. 1

    Even a pure devotee fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must hear, read and encourage others to hear about Pṛthu Mahārāja.

  2. 2

    A beginner eager to hear the Lord’s pastimes should understand that Pṛthu Mahārāja’s pastimes are nondifferent from those of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Pṛthu Mahārāja showed how an ideal king governs, educates citizens, develops the economy and performs sacrifices. Hearing about these activities is recommended even for those who consider themselves advanced in devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • There is a type of neophyte devotee who is very anxious to hear about the pastimes of the Lord, especially the rāsa-līlā chapters in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
  • Such a devotee should know by this instruction that the pastimes of Pṛthu Mahārāja are nondifferent from the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. mukta-anya-saṅgaḥbeing freed from all material contamination
  2. bhagavatiunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. amalāmunalloyed
  4. bhaktimdevotional service
  5. udvahancarrying out
  6. vainyasyaof the son of Mahārāja Vena
  7. caritamcharacter
  8. puṇyampious
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: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “king”, “governs”, “citizens”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 can you remain willing to hear about Pṛthu Mahārāja rather than thinking you have already advanced beyond such hearing?

Practice

Read this verse aloud and invite someone to listen to its teaching about Pṛthu Mahārāja.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.23's connections

Live this todayEven Advanced Devotees Must HearThis 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 4.23.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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