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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
4.23.54.23.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.23.6

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.48inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ग्रीष्मे पञ्चतपा वीरो वर्षास्वासारषाण्मुनि: ।

आकण्ठमग्न: शिशिरे उदके स्थण्डिलेशय: ॥ ६ ॥

grīṣme pañca-tapā vīro

varṣāsv āsāraṣāṇ muniḥ

ākaṇṭha-magnaḥ śiśire

udake sthaṇḍile-śayaḥ

Translation

Following the principles of forest living and the footsteps of the great sages and munis, Pṛthu Mahārāja accepted five kinds of heating processes during the summer season, exposed himself to torrents of rain in the rainy season and, in the winter, stood in water up to his neck. He also used to simply lie down on the floor to sleep.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Austerity Is Meant to Lead to Devotion

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja followed the forest austerities of great sages, enduring summer heat, torrents of rain and winter water. He also slept directly on the floor.

  2. 2

    The purport describes these as severe practices undertaken by jñānīs and yogīs who cannot accept bhakti-yoga. Their purpose is purification from material contamination.

  3. 3

    Such austerities are meant to lead one to become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devotion, rather than hardship itself, is the goal.

Key points from the purport
  • Pañca-tapāḥ refers to five kinds of heating processes.
  • Similarly, in the rainy season one is enjoined to expose himself to torrents of rain, and in winter to sit in cold water up to the neck.
  • The purpose for undergoing such severe austerities is to become a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, as explained in the next verse.

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. grīṣmein the summer season
  2. pañca-tapāḥfive kinds of heating
  3. vīraḥthe hero
  4. varṣāsuin the rainy season
  5. āsāraṣāṭbeing situated within the torrents of rain
  6. muniḥlike the great sages
  7. ākaṇṭhaup to the neck
  8. magnaḥdrowned
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.23

    In this verse: “purification”, “contamination”

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

When I accept a difficulty in spiritual life, do I remember that the goal is devotion to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before your devotional practice today, pause and remind yourself: “My goal is to become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAusterity Is Meant to Lead to DevotionThis 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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