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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
4.25.344.25.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.35

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The girlsince 4.25.33inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

एते सखाय: सख्यो मे नरा नार्यश्च मानद ।

सुप्तायां मयि जागर्ति नागोऽयं पालयन् पुरीम् ॥ ३५ ॥

ete sakhāyaḥ sakhyo me

narā nāryaś ca mānada

suptāyāṁ mayi jāgarti

nāgo ’yaṁ pālayan purīm

Translation

My dear gentleman, all these men and women with me are known as my friends, and the snake, who always remains awake, protects this city even during my sleeping hours. So much I know. I do not know anything beyond this.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Vital Force Remains Awake

  1. 1

    The snake represents the living being’s vital force. It remains awake even when the body and senses are tired and inactive.

  2. 2

    Breathing shows that the vital force continues to protect the sleeping body. The body may rest, but the life force remains active.

  3. 3

    When the soul leaves one material body, the vital force accompanies it to another. What we call death is thus a change of body.

Key points from the purport
  • This vital force always remains awake even when the body and the senses become fatigued and do no work.
  • Even in the state of unconsciousness, when we sleep, the snake, or the life force, remains intact and awake.
  • Even when the gross body is asleep the vital force remains active and alive to protect the body.

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. eteall these
  2. sakhāyaḥmale friends
  3. sakhyaḥfemale associates
  4. memy
  5. narāḥmen
  6. nāryaḥwomen
  7. caand
  8. māna-daO very respectful one
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “protects”, “protect”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “friends”

  • 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.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the teaching of a change of body affect my understanding of death?

Practice

Notice your breathing for a moment today and reflect that the vital force remains active even during sleep.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Vital Force Remains AwakeThis 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 4.25.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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