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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.19

Who is speaking and story frame

न मय्यनाशिते भुङ्क्ते नास्‍नाते स्‍नाति मत्परा ।

मयि रुष्टे सुसन्त्रस्ता भर्त्सिते यतवाग्भयात् ॥ १९ ॥

na mayy anāśite bhuṅkte

nāsnāte snāti mat-parā

mayi ruṣṭe susantrastā

bhartsite yata-vāg bhayāt

Translation

King Purañjana then began to think of his past dealings with his wife. He recalled that his wife would not take her dinner until he had finished his, that she would not take her bath until he had finished his, and that she was always very much attached to him, so much so that if he would sometimes become angry and chastise her, she would simply remain silent and tolerate his misbehavior.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Kṛṣṇa the Center of Home

  1. 1

    Purañjana remembered his wife's devoted attention and her tolerance of his misbehavior. These memories deepened his attachment to her.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes affection helpful for family life from excessive attachment that obstructs spiritual advancement. Therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness must be established in every home.

  3. 3

    When husband and wife are attached to one another in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, both benefit because Kṛṣṇa is their center. Without that center, excessive mutual attachment leads to further material birth.

Key points from the purport
  • For family life it is very good for a husband to be attached to his wife, but it is not very good for spiritual advancement.
  • If a husband and wife are very much attached to one another in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they will both benefit because Kṛṣṇa is the center of their existence.
  • Otherwise, if the husband is too much attached to his wife, he becomes a woman in his next life.

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. nanever
  2. mayiwhen I
  3. anāśitehad not eaten
  4. bhuṅkteshe would eat
  5. nanever
  6. asnātehad not taken bath
  7. snātishe would take her bath
  8. mat-parāalways devoted to me
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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”

  • 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

How can affection in my home help make Kṛṣṇa the center of our lives?

Practice

Invite someone in your household to share a brief moment of remembering Kṛṣṇa today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Kṛṣṇa the Center of HomeThis 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 4.28.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.