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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 25: The Descriptions of the Characteristics of King Purañjana
4.25.184.25.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.25.7inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

नानारण्यमृगव्रातैरनाबाधे मुनिव्रतै: ।

आहूतं मन्यते पान्थो यत्र कोकिलकूजितै: ॥ १९ ॥

nānāraṇya-mṛga-vrātair

anābādhe muni-vrataiḥ

āhūtaṁ manyate pāntho

yatra kokila-kūjitaiḥ

Translation

In such an atmosphere even the animals of the forest became nonviolent and nonenvious like great sages. Consequently, the animals did not attack anyone. Over and above everything was the cooing of the cuckoos. Any passenger passing along that path was invited by that atmosphere to take rest in that nice garden.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Family Comfort Can Deepen Attachment

  1. 1

    The peaceful forest atmosphere is compared to family life with wife and children. The children are likened to nonviolent animals.

  2. 2

    The purport also uses the strong image of relatives as burglars who take one's hard-earned wealth. This highlights the demands that can accompany family life.

  3. 3

    Even family turmoil can seem pleasing, like the cooing of cuckoos. Attracted by this atmosphere, a person may want to keep the family together at all costs.

Key points from the purport
  • A peaceful family with wife and children is compared to the peaceful atmosphere of the forest.
  • Nonetheless, in family life the turmoil of wife and children appears to be like the cooing of the cuckoos in the garden of family life.
  • Being invited by such an atmosphere, the person who is passing through such a blissful family life desires to have his family with him at all costs.

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. nānāvarious
  2. araṇyaforest
  3. mṛgaanimals
  4. vrātaiḥwith groups
  5. anābādhein the matter of nonviolence
  6. muni-vrataiḥlike the great sages
  7. āhūtamas if invited
  8. manyatethinks
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “children”

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

Do familiar comforts make it difficult for me to recognize attachment?

Practice

Reflect briefly on one family comfort and whether you feel you must preserve it at any cost.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFamily Comfort Can Deepen AttachmentThis 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 4.25.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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