1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min
Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.2
त एकदा तु रभसा पुरञ्जनपुरीं नृप ।
रुरुधुर्भौमभोगाढ्यां
जरत्पन्नगपालिताम् ॥ २ ॥
ta ekadā tu rabhasā
purañjana-purīṁ nṛpa
rurudhur bhauma-bhogāḍhyāṁ
jarat-pannaga-pālitām
Once the dangerous soldiers attacked the city of Purañjana with great force. Although the city was full of paraphernalia for sense gratification, it was being protected by the old serpent.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioThree study points drawn from the translation and purport.
The old serpent represents the weakened vital force. As this force declines, the body becomes weak and the symptoms of death attack severely.
The Vedic system recommends leaving household attachment and accepting sannyāsa to preach the message of God before this stage. Remaining absorbed in sense gratification can leave a person without spiritual assets.
At death, a person remembers what occupied him throughout life. His final thoughts and desires shape the next body he receives.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.
The purport of SB 4.28.2 quotesBG 8.6
According to Bhagavad-gītā (8.6): “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.”
Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.
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
Purañjana’s city falls; he becomes a woman, and a brāhmaṇa recalls the soul’s forgotten spiritual friendship.
Back to this verse in chapter 4.28Learn the Sanskrit words of the 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
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.28
In this verse: “sense gratification”, “attachment”, “household”
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.28
In this verse: “dangerous”, “death”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.28
In this verse: “protected”
Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What do my daily thoughts suggest I am preparing to remember at death?
Set aside five minutes today to read the message of God rather than pursue a sense pleasure.
The story this chapter belongs to.
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 4.28.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.