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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 28: Purañjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life
4.28.164.28.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.28.1inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

अहं ममेति स्वीकृत्य गृहेषु कुमतिर्गृही ।

दध्यौ प्रमदया दीनो विप्रयोग उपस्थिते ॥ १७ ॥

ahaṁ mameti svīkṛtya

gṛheṣu kumatir gṛhī

dadhyau pramadayā dīno

viprayoga upasthite

Translation

King Purañjana was overly attached to his family and conceptions of “I” and “mine.” Because he was overly attracted to his wife, he was already quite poverty-stricken. At the time of separation, he became very sorry.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

“I” and “Mine” Continue Material Bondage

  1. 1

    Purañjana's attachment to family and ideas of “I” and “mine” made separation deeply painful. Thoughts of material enjoyment did not disappear at death.

  2. 2

    The subtle body consists of mind, intelligence and ego. It makes plans for enjoyment, while the gross body serves as the instrument for carrying them out.

  3. 3

    Continued mental activity obliges the living entity to accept another gross body. Strong family attachment may occupy a dying person's thoughts without any knowledge of his next destination.

Key points from the purport
  • The transmigration of the subtle body is never visible to material eyes; therefore when one gives up the gross body, we think that he is finished.
  • Plans for material enjoyment are made by the subtle body, and the gross body is the instrument for enjoying these plans.
  • Because of long association with the gross body, the living entity becomes very sad to be separated from it.

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 28: Purañjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life

Purañjana’s city falls; he becomes a woman, and a brāhmaṇa recalls the soul’s forgotten spiritual friendship.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.28
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahamI
  2. mamamine
  3. itithus
  4. svī-kṛtyaaccepting
  5. gṛheṣuin the home
  6. ku-matiḥwhose mind is full of obnoxious thoughts
  7. gṛhīthe householder
  8. dadhyauturns his attention to
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 4.28

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “death”, “dying”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.28

    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

Where do I notice “I” and “mine” shaping my plans for enjoyment?

Practice

Notice one possessive thought today and write down the expectation of enjoyment behind it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this today“I” and “Mine” Continue Material BondageThis 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.

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