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 27: Attack by Caṇḍavega on the City of King Purañjana; the Character of Kālakanyā
4.27.214.27.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.22

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.27.22inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

मयि संरभ्य विपुलमदाच्छापं सुदु:सहम् ।

स्थातुमर्हसि नैकत्र मद्याच्ञाविमुखो मुने ॥ २२ ॥

mayi saṁrabhya vipula-

madāc chāpaṁ suduḥsaham

sthātum arhasi naikatra

mad-yācñā-vimukho mune

Translation

The great sage Nārada continued: When I refused to accept her request, she became very angry at me and cursed me severely. Because I refused her request, she said that I would not be able to stay in one place for a long time.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Turns a Curse Into Fortune

  1. 1

    Nārada Muni has a spiritual body and is unaffected by birth, old age, disease and death. He is a most kind devotee of the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    His only business is to travel throughout the universe preaching God consciousness and making everyone a Vaiṣṇava. He stays in a place only as long as this service requires.

  3. 3

    Kālakanyā's curse was fortunate because Nārada already traveled freely to preach. Devotees engaged in spreading the Lord's glories are beyond the jurisdiction of material laws.

Key points from the purport
  • The great sage Nārada Muni has a spiritual body; therefore old age, disease, birth and death do not affect him.
  • Nārada is the most kind devotee of the Supreme Lord, and his only business is to travel all over the universe and preach God consciousness.
  • Under the circumstances, there is ordinarily no need for him to stay in one place for more than the time he requires to preach.

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. mayiunto me
  2. saṁrabhyahaving become angry
  3. vipulaunlimited
  4. madātout of illusion
  5. śāpamcurse
  6. su-duḥsahamunbearable
  7. sthātum arhasiyou may remain
  8. nanever
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 4.27

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • 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

Can I see a change in circumstances as an opportunity to share the Lord's glories?

Practice

Share one teaching about God consciousness from this verse with someone willing to hear.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Turns a Curse Into FortuneThis 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 4.27.22? 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