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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
4.25.544.25.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.55

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

स यर्ह्यन्त:पुरगतो विषूचीनसमन्वित: ।

मोहं प्रसादं हर्षं वा याति जायात्मजोद्भवम् ॥ ५५ ॥

sa yarhy antaḥpura-gato

viṣūcīna-samanvitaḥ

mohaṁ prasādaṁ harṣaṁ vā

yāti jāyātmajodbhavam

Translation

Sometimes he used to go to his private home with one of his chief servants [the mind], who was named Viṣūcīna. At that time, illusion, satisfaction and happiness used to be produced from his wife and children.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Shelter Lies Beyond Mental Security

  1. 1

    Viṣūcīna represents the mind, whose activities are thinking, feeling and willing. Under goodness, passion and darkness, the living entity experiences happiness, satisfaction through enjoyment and bewilderment.

  2. 2

    Society, friendship and family cannot protect us from birth, death, old age and disease. Feeling completely secure in them makes us forget our real business: going back home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    The three modes of material nature are difficult to overcome. By surrendering completely at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, one can cross beyond their entanglement.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the living entity’s feeling of security in this life in the midst of society, wife and friendship is nothing but illusion.
  • To get even one living entity out of the illusory condition is very difficult; therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14):
  • Therefore, unless one surrenders completely at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, he cannot get out of the entanglement of the three modes of material nature.

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 4.25.55 quotesBG 7.14

To get even one living entity out of the illusory condition is very difficult; therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14): “This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome.

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. saḥhe
  2. yarhiwhen
  3. antaḥ-purato his private home
  4. gataḥused to go
  5. viṣūcīnaby the mind
  6. samanvitaḥaccompanied
  7. mohamillusion
  8. prasādamsatisfaction
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “children”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “death”

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 expecting material relationships to provide protection that only surrender to Kṛṣṇa can give?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to pray to Kṛṣṇa for help in surrendering to Him.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Shelter Lies Beyond Mental SecurityThis 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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