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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
4.27.174.27.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.18

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

स एव पुर्यां मधुभुक्पञ्चालेषु स्वपार्षदै: ।

उपनीतं बलिं गृह्णन् स्त्रीजितो नाविदद्भयम् ॥ १८ ॥

sa eva puryāṁ madhu-bhuk

pañcāleṣu sva-pārṣadaiḥ

upanītaṁ baliṁ gṛhṇan

strī-jito nāvidad bhayam

Translation

King Purañjana collected taxes in the city known as Pañcāla and thus was able to engage in sexual indulgence. Being completely under the control of women, he could not understand that his life was passing away and that he was reaching the point of death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sense Gratification Hides the Approach of Death

  1. 1

    Purañjana used collected taxes for sexual indulgence. Absorbed in enjoyment, he failed to recognize that his life was passing and death was approaching.

  2. 2

    The purport warns against government officials using citizens' taxes for their own sense gratification. Such irresponsible enjoyment makes them forget that death will take it away.

  3. 3

    Cārvāka taught that everything ends when the body is burned to ashes. The purport rejects this view: denying the next life does not save one from death or its consequences.

Key points from the purport
  • Government men — including kings, presidents, secretaries and ministers — are in a position to utilize taxes collected from the citizens for sense gratification.
  • It is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that in this Kali-yuga government men (rājanyas) and those connected with the government, as well as exalted government ministers, secretaries and presidents, will all simply collect taxes for sense gratification.
  • He also maintained that one should not be afraid of death, the next life, the past life or an impious life because after the body is burnt to ashes everything is finished.

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. saḥhe
  2. evacertainly
  3. puryāmwithin the city
  4. madhu-bhukenjoying sex life
  5. pañcāleṣuin the kingdom of Pañcāla (five sense objects)
  6. sva-pārṣadaiḥalong with his followers
  7. upanītambrought
  8. balimtaxes
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 4.27

    In this verse: “king”, “government”, “citizens'”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.27

    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

Does my pursuit of enjoyment make me overlook responsibility and the consequences of my actions?

Practice

Review one use of money entrusted to you and check that it serves its proper purpose rather than your personal enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Gratification Hides the Approach of DeathThis 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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