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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 27: Attack by Caṇḍavega on the City of King Purañjana; the Character of Kālakanyā
4.27.204.27.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.21

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

कदाचिदटमाना सा ब्रह्मलोकान्महीं गतम् ।

वव्रे बृहद्‌व्रतं मां तु जानती काममोहिता ॥ २१ ॥

kadācid aṭamānā sā

brahma-lokān mahīṁ gatam

vavre bṛhad-vrataṁ māṁ tu

jānatī kāma-mohitā

Translation

When I once came to this earth from Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system, the daughter of Time, wandering over the universe, met me. Knowing me to be an avowed brahmacārī, she became lusty and proposed that I accept her.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Life for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Nārada Muni was a naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī: he never engaged in sex life. He remained ever youthful, beyond the attack of old age.

  2. 2

    The daughter of Time mistook Nārada Muni for an ordinary man and proposed to him. Those living as brahmacārīs are instructed to follow his example of refusing such proposals.

  3. 3

    The purport warns that excessive sexual attachment shortens life and makes one vulnerable to jarā. Human life should instead be utilized for Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The great sage Nārada Muni was a naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī — that is, he never had sex life.
  • Taking Nārada Muni to be an ordinary man, the daughter of Time confronted him with her lusty desire.
  • Without utilizing the human form of life for Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the victims of jarā die very soon in this world.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kadācitonce upon a time
  2. aṭamānātraveling
  3. sāshe
  4. brahma-lokātfrom Brahmaloka, the highest planet
  5. mahīmon the earth
  6. gatamhaving come
  7. vavreshe proposed
  8. bṛhat-vratamavowed brahmacārī
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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 4.27

    In this verse: “lusty”, “attachment”

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 can I direct more of my attention toward Kṛṣṇa consciousness rather than sensual attraction?

Practice

Turn away from one sensual distraction today and use that time for Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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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