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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
4.25.414.25.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.42

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The womansince 4.25.40inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

कस्या मनस्ते भुवि भोगिभोगयो:

स्त्रिया न सज्जेद्भुजयोर्महाभुज ।

योऽनाथवर्गाधिमलं घृणोद्धत

स्मितावलोकेन चरत्यपोहितुम् ॥ ४२ ॥

kasyā manas te bhuvi bhogi-bhogayoḥ

striyā na sajjed bhujayor mahā-bhuja

yo ’nātha-vargādhim alaṁ ghṛṇoddhata-

smitāvalokena caraty apohitum

Translation

O mighty-armed, who in this world will not be attracted by your arms, which are just like the bodies of serpents? Actually you relieve the distress of husbandless women like us by your attractive smile and your aggressive mercy. We think that you are traveling on the surface of the earth just to benefit us only.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Examining the Basis of Material Attraction

  1. 1

    The woman praises the man's arms and attractive smile. She sees his presence as relief from her distress.

  2. 2

    The purport explains anātha as meaning one without a husband or protection. The woman's words express her desire for such protection.

  3. 3

    The purport's central conclusion is that so-called love in the material world rests on sexual satisfaction. It asks us to look beneath the flattering language of attraction.

Key points from the purport
  • A woman is generally very much attracted by a man’s long arms.
  • The beautiful arms of a man appear to a woman just like serpents, and she very much desires to be embraced by such arms.
  • As soon as a woman attains the age of puberty, she immediately becomes very much agitated by sexual desire.

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. kasyāḥwhose
  2. manaḥmind
  3. teyour
  4. bhuviin this world
  5. bhogi-bhogayoḥlike the body of a serpent
  6. striyāḥof a woman
  7. nanot
  8. sajjetbecomes attracted
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • 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

When I feel attracted to someone, what satisfaction am I hoping to receive?

Practice

Take one quiet minute to examine whether an attraction is centered on your own satisfaction.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayExamining the Basis of Material AttractionThis 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 4.25.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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