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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 27: Attack by Caṇḍavega on the City of King Purañjana; the Character of Kālakanyā
4.27.164.27.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.17

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.27.11inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

क्षीयमाणे स्वसम्बन्धे एकस्मिन् बहुभिर्युधा ।

चिन्तां परां जगामार्त: सराष्ट्रपुरबान्धव: ॥ १७ ॥

kṣīyamāṇe sva-sambandhe

ekasmin bahubhir yudhā

cintāṁ parāṁ jagāmārtaḥ

sa-rāṣṭra-pura-bāndhavaḥ

Translation

Because he had to fight alone with so many soldiers, all of whom were great warriors, the serpent with five hoods became very weak. Seeing that his most intimate friend was weakening, King Purañjana and his friends and citizens living within the city all became very anxious.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Postpone Spiritual Discipline

  1. 1

    The body's limbs are described as the living entity's citizens and friends. As the protecting serpent weakens, Purañjana and those within the city become anxious.

  2. 2

    The struggle to maintain the body cannot continue indefinitely. In old age, the ability to enjoy material happiness slips away.

  3. 3

    Meditation is a difficult discipline that should be learned from youth and requires restraint from sense gratification. It is not merely a relaxation technique to adopt after a lifetime of sensual indulgence.

Key points from the purport
  • The living entity resides within the body and struggles for existence with the limbs of the body, which are referred to here as citizens and friends.
  • Thus the living entity submits and falls victim.
  • King Purañjana, the living entity, being thus victimized by the hard struggle for existence, took to transcendental meditation with his friends and relatives.

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 27: Attack by Caṇḍavega on the City of King Purañjana; the Character of Kālakanyā

Purañjana grows deeply attached to family while Caṇḍavega’s soldiers attack his city.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṣīyamāṇewhen he became weak
  2. sva-sambandhehis intimate friend
  3. ekasminalone
  4. bahubhiḥwith many warriors
  5. yudhāby battle
  6. cintāmanxiety
  7. parāmvery great
  8. jagāmaobtained
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “friend”, “friends”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “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

Am I postponing spiritual discipline while expecting it to become easy later?

Practice

Choose one unnecessary sense indulgence to refrain from today as a small exercise in restraint.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Postpone Spiritual DisciplineThis 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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