1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min
Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.21
पञ्चशीर्षाहिना गुप्तां प्रतीहारेण सर्वत: ।
अन्वेषमाणामृषभमप्रौढां कामरूपिणीम् ॥ २१ ॥
pañca-śīrṣāhinā guptāṁ
pratīhāreṇa sarvataḥ
anveṣamāṇām ṛṣabham
aprauḍhāṁ kāma-rūpiṇīm
The woman was protected on all sides by a five-hooded snake. She was very beautiful and young, and she appeared very anxious to find a suitable husband.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioThree study points drawn from the translation and purport.
The five-hooded serpent represents the five vital airs: prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, samāna and udāna. This vital force protects the functioning of all the senses.
The woman represents intelligence, and her search for a husband indicates that intelligence cannot act without consciousness. Her youth signifies that intelligence must remain fresh.
Material enjoyment means using intelligence for form, taste, smell, sound and touch. The purport thus distinguishes intelligence from the sensory pleasures it pursues.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.
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
Nārada’s allegory introduces Purañjana, his search for enjoyment, and his attraction to a woman.
Back to this verse in chapter 4.25Learn the Sanskrit words of the 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
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.25
In this verse: “protected”, “protects”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.25
In this verse: “material”
Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
How much of my intelligence is occupied with arranging sensory enjoyment?
Examine one plan today and identify whether it is mainly aimed at form, taste, smell, sound or touch.
The stories this chapter belongs to.
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 4.25.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.