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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
4.23.384.24.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.39

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.23.38inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अनुदिनमिदमादरेण श‍ृण्वन्

पृथुचरितं प्रथयन् विमुक्तसङ्ग: ।

भगवति भवसिन्धुपोतपादे

स च निपुणां लभते रतिं मनुष्य: ॥ ३९ ॥

anudinam idam ādareṇa śṛṇvan

pṛthu-caritaṁ prathayan vimukta-saṅgaḥ

bhagavati bhava-sindhu-pota-pāde

sa ca nipuṇāṁ labhate ratiṁ manuṣyaḥ

Translation

Whoever, with great reverence and adoration, regularly reads, chants and describes the history of Mahārāja Pṛthu’s activities will certainly increase unflinching faith and attraction for the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord’s lotus feet are the boat by which one can cross the ocean of nescience.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Daily Hearing Strengthens Shelter in the Lord

  1. 1

    Regularly reading, chanting and describing Pṛthu Mahārāja’s activities with reverence increases steady faith and attraction for the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Everything, including material existence, rests on the Lord’s lotus feet. A pure devotee who takes shelter there has already crossed the ocean of ignorance.

  3. 3

    Daily narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja’s life can firmly establish one in devotional service. Through hearing and chanting, one becomes liberated from association with the three qualities of material nature.

Key points from the purport
  • This cosmic manifestation, which is compared to an ocean of nescience, is also resting on the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord need not cross over the ocean, for he has already crossed it by virtue of his position at the Lord’s lotus feet.
  • By hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord or the Lord’s devotee, one can become firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.23.39 quotesBG 10.8

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.8), ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ: everything is emanating from Him.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. anu-dinamday after day
  2. idamthis
  3. ādareṇawith great respect
  4. śṛṇvanhearing
  5. pṛthu-caritamthe narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja
  6. prathayanchanting
  7. vimuktaliberated
  8. saṅgaḥassociation
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chants”, “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “material”

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 could you make respectful hearing and chanting a regular part of your day?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to read aloud about Pṛthu Mahārāja, with reverence for the Lord and His devotee.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDaily Hearing Strengthens Shelter in the 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.

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