1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.25.64.25.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.25.7

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.25.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

नारद उवाच

भो भो: प्रजापते राजन् पशून् पश्य

त्वयाध्वरे ।

संज्ञापिताञ्जीवसङ्घान्निर्घृणेन सहस्रश: ॥ ७ ॥

nārada uvāca

bhoḥ bhoḥ prajāpate rājan

paśūn paśya tvayādhvare

saṁjñāpitāñ jīva-saṅghān

nirghṛṇena sahasraśaḥ

Translation

The great saint Nārada said: O ruler of the citizens, my dear King, please see in the sky those animals which you have sacrificed without compassion and without mercy in the sacrificial arena.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Truth Beyond Ritual and Harm

  1. 1

    Nārada showed the King the animals he had sacrificed without compassion. He wanted to awaken knowledge and a spirit of renunciation in the King’s heart.

  2. 2

    One should not remain satisfied with ritualistic animal killing simply because it is described in scripture. One should seek the actual truth and purpose of life.

  3. 3

    Knowledge is needed for detachment from material enjoyment, and detachment is needed for spiritual advancement. Those intent on sense gratification may commit sinful acts, including animal sacrifice.

Key points from the purport
  • One should transcend the ritualistic ceremonies and try to understand the actual truth, the purpose of life.
  • Nārada Muni wanted to instruct the King about the real purpose of life and invoke a spirit of renunciation in his heart.
  • Consequently, by his mystic power Nārada Muni showed King Prācīnabarhiṣat the dead animals which he had sacrificed.

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

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.5.14

After you die, they will angrily pierce your body with iron horns.”

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. nāradaḥ uvācathe great sage Nārada replied
  2. bhoḥ bhoḥhello
  3. prajā-pateO ruler of the citizens
  4. rājanO King
  5. paśūnanimals
  6. paśyaplease see
  7. tvayāby you
  8. adhvarein the sacrifice
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.25

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”, “citizens”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”

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 outward religious practice to avoid examining my attachment to enjoyment?

Practice

Choose one unnecessary sense pleasure to forgo today, and reflect on how attachment can lead to harm.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Truth Beyond Ritual and HarmThis 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 4.25.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories