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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 25: The Descriptions of the Characteristics of King Purañjana
4.24.794.25.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.25.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इति सन्दिश्य भगवान् बार्हिषदैरभिपूजित: ।

पश्यतां राजपुत्राणां तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हर: ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

iti sandiśya bhagavān

bārhiṣadair abhipūjitaḥ

paśyatāṁ rāja-putrāṇāṁ

tatraivāntardadhe haraḥ

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued speaking to Vidura: My dear Vidura, in this way Lord Śiva instructed the sons of King Barhiṣat. The sons of the King also worshiped Lord Śiva with great devotion and respect. Finally, Lord Śiva became invisible to the princes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Welfare Leads to Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The sons of King Barhiṣat received Lord Śiva’s instructions and worshiped him with devotion and respect. Their father had sent them to perform austerities to become kings who could serve the citizens’ welfare.

  2. 2

    Human life is especially meant for understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our relationship with Him, and our activities in His service. Spiritual education made both rulers and citizens happy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Fruitive sacrifices may lead to heavenly kingdoms, but not back home, back to Godhead. Nārada compassionately came to teach the King the ultimate benediction of life, bhakti-yoga.

Key points from the purport
  • At the same time, King Barhiṣat was being instructed by the great sage Nārada about the material world and the living entity who wants to enjoy it.
  • When the great sage Nārada saw that a descendant of Mahārāja Dhruva was being misled by fruitive activities, Nārada took compassion upon him and personally came to instruct him about the ultimate benediction of life, bhakti-yoga.
  • How Nārada Muni indirectly introduced the bhakti-yoga system to King Prācīnabarhiṣat is very interestingly described in this Twenty-fifth Chapter.

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

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 25: The Descriptions of the Characteristics of King Purañjana

Nārada’s allegory introduces Purañjana, his search for enjoyment, and his attraction to a woman.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya continued to speak
  2. itithus
  3. sandiśyagiving instruction
  4. bhagavānthe most powerful lord
  5. bārhiṣadaiḥby the sons of King Barhiṣat
  6. abhipūjitaḥbeing worshiped
  7. paśyatāmwhile they were looking on
  8. rāja-putrāṇāmthe sons of the King
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 4.25

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “king”, “rulers”, “citizens’”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “compassionately”, “welfare”

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 much do my ideas of welfare include understanding God and serving Him?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today reflecting on your relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and one way to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The stories 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 4.25's connections

Live this todayTrue Welfare Leads to Devotional ServiceThis 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 4.25.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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