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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
4.25.474.25.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.48

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.25.43inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

नलिनी नालिनी च प्राग्द्वारावेकत्र निर्मिते ।

अवधूतसखस्ताभ्यां विषयं याति सौरभम् ॥ ४८ ॥

nalinī nālinī ca prāg

dvārāv ekatra nirmite

avadhūta-sakhas tābhyāṁ

viṣayaṁ yāti saurabham

Translation

Similarly in the east there were two sets of gates named Nalinī and Nālinī, and these were also constructed in one place. Through these gates the King, accompanied by a friend named Avadhūta, used to go to the city of Saurabha.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Smell Depends on Air

  1. 1

    Nalinī and Nālinī represent the two nostrils. They are the passages through which the living entity inhales and exhales.

  2. 2

    Their friend Avadhūta represents the airs involved in breathing. With the help of air, the nostrils perceive different aromas.

  3. 3

    Saurabha represents aroma. Traveling there through these gates describes the living entity's enjoyment of smells in the material world.

Key points from the purport
  • The two gates named Nalinī and Nālinī are the two nostrils.
  • Through these gates the living entity goes to the town of Saurabha, or aroma.
  • Nalinī and Nālinī are the pipes of the nostrils, through which one inhales and exhales, enjoying the aroma of sense pleasure.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nalinīof the name Nalinī
  2. nālinīof the name Nālinī
  3. caalso
  4. prākeastern
  5. dvārautwo gates
  6. ekatrain one place
  7. nirmiteconstructed
  8. avadhūtaof the name Avadhūta
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “king”

  • 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 sense of smell draw me toward sense pleasure?

Practice

Notice one aroma today and reflect on how air carries it through your nostrils.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.25's connections

Live this todaySmell Depends on AirThis 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 4.25.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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