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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
4.27.244.27.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.25

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

द्वाविमावनुशोचन्ति बालावसदवग्रहौ ।

यल्लोकशास्त्रोपनतं न राति न तदिच्छति ॥ २५ ॥

dvāv imāv anuśocanti

bālāv asad-avagrahau

yal loka-śāstropanataṁ

na rāti na tad icchati

Translation

One who does not give charity according to the customs or injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Such persons follow the path of the foolish. Surely they must lament at the end.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Let Scripture Guide Your Choices

  1. 1

    Giving and accepting charity should follow scriptural guidance. Disregarding that guidance leads to ignorance and eventual lamentation.

  2. 2

    One who discards scriptural instructions and acts according to personal whims attains neither perfection, happiness nor the supreme destination.

  3. 3

    One should bring the teachings of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master into harmony. Following these principles is the way to success in life.

Key points from the purport
  • It is herein stated that one should strictly follow the scriptures if one actually wants an auspicious life.
  • One who does not strictly follow the terms of the Vedic injunctions never attains success in life or happiness.
  • As stated by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya: one should follow the principles of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.27.25 quotesBG 16.23

The same is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (16.23): “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. dvautwo kinds
  2. imauthese
  3. anuśocantithey lament
  4. bālauignorant
  5. asatthe foolish
  6. avagrahautaking the path of
  7. yatthat which
  8. lokaby custom
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “lament”, “lamentation”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “principles”

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

Where am I relying on personal whims rather than spiritual guidance?

Practice

Before making one decision today, reread a scriptural instruction relevant to it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Scripture Guide Your ChoicesThis 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 4.27.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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