1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva
4.24.744.24.76

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.75

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.24.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Śiva → the Pracetās

श्रेयसामिह सर्वेषां ज्ञानं नि:श्रेयसं परम् ।

सुखं तरति दुष्पारं ज्ञाननौर्व्यसनार्णवम् ॥ ७५ ॥

śreyasām iha sarveṣāṁ

jñānaṁ niḥśreyasaṁ param

sukhaṁ tarati duṣpāraṁ

jñāna-naur vyasanārṇavam

Translation

In this material world there are different types of achievement, but of all of them the achievement of knowledge is considered to be the highest because one can cross the ocean of nescience only on the boat of knowledge. Otherwise the ocean is impassable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowledge Leads to Surrender

  1. 1

    Ignorance causes suffering and exposes people to dangerous pitfalls. Knowledge is the boat by which one can cross the otherwise impassable ocean of ignorance.

  2. 2

    When one actually becomes wise, one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Human life is a precious opportunity to reestablish our relationship with Govinda.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva advises taking advantage of his prayers to become devotees of Lord Vāsudeva. Through this devotion, one can cross the ocean of ignorance and make life perfect.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually everyone is suffering within this material world due to ignorance.
  • Opposed to such ignorance, full knowledge is the greatest achievement within this material world.
  • Lord Śiva advises, however, that those who take advantage of his prayers will very soon become devotees of Lord Vāsudeva and thus will be able to cross the ocean of nescience and make life perfect.

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 4.24.75 quotesBG 7.19

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.19), bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate: “When one actually becomes wise, he surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

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

Worldly absorption → Sobering awareness. The mind's identification with material life becomes visible.

Chapters 24–29 of Canto 4: Śiva's song and the allegory of Purañjana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva

Lord Śiva mercifully teaches the Pracetās prayers glorifying the Supreme Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śreyasāmof all benedictions
  2. ihain this world
  3. sarveṣāmof every person
  4. jñānamknowledge
  5. niḥśreyasamthe supreme benefit
  6. paramtranscendental
  7. sukhamhappiness
  8. taraticrosses over
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.24

    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

How can I use this human life to reestablish my relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Read a portion of Lord Śiva’s prayers today, seeking knowledge that leads to surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnowledge Leads to SurrenderThis 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 4.24.75? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories