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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
4.27.234.27.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.24

Nirodha· Winding up
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

ऋषभं यवनानां त्वां वृणे वीरेप्सितं पतिम् ।

सङ्कल्पस्त्वयि भूतानां कृत: किल न रिष्यति ॥ २४ ॥

ṛṣabhaṁ yavanānāṁ tvāṁ

vṛṇe vīrepsitaṁ patim

saṅkalpas tvayi bhūtānāṁ

kṛtaḥ kila na riṣyati

Translation

Approaching the King of the Yavanas, Kālakanyā addressed him as a great hero, saying: My dear sir, you are the best of the untouchables. I am in love with you, and I want you as my husband. I know that no one is baffled if he makes friends with you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings Fearlessness in Old Age

  1. 1

    Vedic life includes rising early, bathing, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, studying scripture and serving the Deities. The terms yavana and mleccha concern conduct, not nationality.

  2. 2

    A devotee may grow old but need not experience spiritual defeat. The Gosvāmīs produced valuable devotional literature even in advanced age.

  3. 3

    Following Nārada Muni’s instructions includes Deity worship and hearing and chanting the glories of Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A devotee becomes fearless through the hope of going back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • One who does not actually follow the hygienic principles prescribed in the Vedic rules and regulations will be subjected to many contagious diseases.
  • Thus jarā, the effect of old age, does not harass a devotee.
  • A devotee follows the principles of pāñcarātrika-vidhi as well as bhāgavata-vidhi.

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. ṛṣabhamthe best
  2. yavanānāmof the untouchables
  3. tvāmyou
  4. vṛṇeI accept
  5. vīraO great hero
  6. īpsitamdesired
  7. patimhusband
  8. saṅkalpaḥthe determination
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”, “devotee”, “worship”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friends”

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

Which daily devotional practice could help me face aging with greater confidence?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa attentively.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.27's connections

Live this todayDevotional Service Brings Fearlessness in Old AgeThis 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 4.27.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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