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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
4.25.254.25.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.26

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

का त्वं कञ्जपलाशाक्षि कस्यासीह कुत: सति ।

इमामुप पुरीं भीरु किं चिकीर्षसि शंस मे ॥ २६ ॥

kā tvaṁ kañja-palāśākṣi

kasyāsīha kutaḥ sati

imām upa purīṁ bhīru

kiṁ cikīrṣasi śaṁsa me

Translation

My dear lotus-eyed, kindly explain to me where you are coming from, who you are, and whose daughter you are. You appear very chaste. What is the purpose of your coming here? What are you trying to do? Please explain all these things to me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Intelligence for Self-Realization

  1. 1

    Human intelligence should reach beyond eating, sleeping, mating and defending. One should ask about spiritual identity, duty and the supreme source of everything.

  2. 2

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa is seated in everyone’s heart, and remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness come from Him.

  3. 3

    Human life gives the living entity a chance to understand his relationship with God. Inquiry into self-realization is the proper use of this developed consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • In the human form of life one should put many questions to himself and to his intelligence.
  • A living entity is always connected with a certain amount of intelligence, but in the human form of life the living entity must inquire about his spiritual identity.
  • The conclusion is that unless a living entity is inquisitive about self-realization he is nothing but an animal.

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 4.25.26 quotesBG 15.15

In Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) Śrī Kṛṣṇa says, sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca: “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.”

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 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. kāwho
  2. tvamyou
  3. kañja-palāśalike the petals of the lotus
  4. akṣieyes
  5. kasyawhose
  6. asiyou are
  7. ihahere
  8. kutaḥwherefrom
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “inquiry”, “understand”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “duty”

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

Am I using my intelligence to understand my relationship with God?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about your spiritual identity or relationship with God, and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Intelligence for Self-RealizationThis 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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