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
4.27.54.27.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.27.6

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.27.6inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

तस्यामजनयत्पुत्रान् पुरञ्जन्यां पुरञ्जन: ।

शतान्येकादश विराडायुषोऽर्धमथात्यगात् ॥ ६ ॥

tasyām ajanayat putrān

purañjanyāṁ purañjanaḥ

śatāny ekādaśa virāḍ

āyuṣo ’rdham athātyagāt

Translation

The great sage Nārada then addressed King Prācīnabarhiṣat: O one whose life span is great [virāṭ], in this way King Purañjana begot 1,100 sons within the womb of his wife, Purañjanī. However, in this business he passed away half of his life span.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Let Family Life Expand Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Purañjana begot 1,100 sons with Purañjanī and spent half his life in this pursuit. Family activity can consume a large part of one's limited life.

  2. 2

    The purport recommends restraint in sex life rather than unrestricted enjoyment. Good consciousness helps one use intelligence to recognize the value of human life.

  3. 3

    Through mutual consultation, husband and wife can understand that human life is meant for advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, not merely for producing many children. The results of their life together should expand their Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Purañjana had begotten 1,100 sons within the womb of his wife and thus passed away half of his life.
  • King Purañjana lay down with his wife, Purañjanī, and begot a large number of children, and there is no mention in these verses that he used contraceptive methods.
  • In other words, if one is fortunate enough to have a good, conscientious wife, he can decide by mutual consultation that human life is meant for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and not for begetting a large number of children.

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. tasyāmwithin her
  2. ajanayathe begot
  3. putrānsons
  4. purañjanyāmin Purañjanī
  5. purañjanaḥKing Purañjana
  6. śatānihundreds
  7. ekādaśaeleven
  8. virāṭO King
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.27

    In this verse: “children”

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 could thoughtful consultation help your household give more importance to Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Discuss one small way to support Kṛṣṇa consciousness with your spouse, or write down one way your own daily choices could support it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Family Life Expand 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.27.6? 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