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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 28: Purañjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life
4.28.284.28.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Purañjanasince 4.28.21inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

उपयेमे वीर्यपणां वैदर्भीं मलयध्वज: ।

युधि निर्जित्य राजन्यान् पाण्ड्य: परपुरञ्जय: ॥ २९ ॥

upayeme vīrya-paṇāṁ

vaidarbhīṁ malayadhvajaḥ

yudhi nirjitya rājanyān

pāṇḍyaḥ para-purañjayaḥ

Translation

It was fixed that Vaidarbhī, daughter of King Vidarbha, was to be married to a very powerful man, Malayadhvaja, an inhabitant of the Pāṇḍu country. After conquering other princes, he married the daughter of King Vidarbha.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Conquers the Unconquerable Lord

  1. 1

    Malayadhvaja was both a powerful king and a great devotee. His name signifies a devotee who stands firm and helps others become similarly firm.

  2. 2

    A strong, learned devotee establishes devotional service above nondevotional conceptions of spiritual realization. Only by devotional service can one attain Vaikuṇṭha, the kingdom of God.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, cannot be conquered by anyone except His devotee. Strong devotional service and sincere attachment win over the unconquerable Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Vidarbha, was offered to a great devotee and powerful king.
  • Since King Malayadhvaja was both a powerful king and great devotee, he fulfilled all the requirements.
  • This means that a pure devotee, who is strong in devotional service and who has conquered all nondevotional conceptions, can also conquer the kingdom of God.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. upayememarried
  2. vīryaof valor or prowess
  3. paṇāmthe prize
  4. vaidarbhīmdaughter of Vidarbha
  5. malaya-dhvajaḥMalayadhvaja
  6. yudhiin the fight
  7. nirjityaafter conquering
  8. rājanyānother princes
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “attachment”

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 I become firmer in devotional service while helping others become firm?

Practice

Reread the purport’s explanation of sincere attachment, then offer Kṛṣṇa a prayer for steadiness in devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Conquers the Unconquerable LordThis 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 4.28.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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