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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
4.27.274.27.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.28

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The King of the Yavanassince 4.27.28inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

मया निरूपितस्तुभ्यं पतिरात्मसमाधिना ।

नाभिनन्दति लोकोऽयं त्वामभद्रामसम्मताम् ॥ २८ ॥

mayā nirūpitas tubhyaṁ

patir ātma-samādhinā

nābhinandati loko ’yaṁ

tvām abhadrām asammatām

Translation

The King of the Yavanas replied: After much consideration, I have arrived at a husband for you. Actually, as far as everyone is concerned, you are inauspicious and mischievous. Since no one likes you, how can anyone accept you as his wife?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Difficulty in the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    No one welcomed Kālakanyā because she represented the invalidity of old age. The King of the Yavanas considered how to make the best use of this unwanted situation.

  2. 2

    Everything can be used for the service of the Lord. Even something unwelcome can serve a spiritual purpose.

  3. 3

    Old age can awaken concern about the next life. That concern becomes useful when it leads one to engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • After much consideration, the King of the Yavanas decided to make the best use of a bad bargain.
  • Thus the King of the Yavanas tried to utilize her for some purpose.
  • The purpose has already been explained — that is, Kālakanyā as jarā, the invalidity of old age, can be used to arouse a sense of fear in people so that they will prepare for the next life by engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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. mayāby me
  2. nirūpitaḥsettled
  3. tubhyamfor you
  4. patiḥhusband
  5. ātmaof the mind
  6. samādhināby meditation
  7. nanever
  8. abhinandatiwelcome
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “king”

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 might an unwelcome limitation encourage me to deepen my Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Use one moment of worry about aging today as a reminder to spend a few minutes in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Difficulty in the Lord’s ServiceThis 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 4.27.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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