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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
4.28.424.28.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.43

Mukti· Liberation
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

पतिं परमधर्मज्ञं वैदर्भी मलयध्वजम् ।

प्रेम्णा पर्यचरद्धित्वा भोगान् सा

पतिदेवता ॥ ४३ ॥

patiṁ parama-dharma-jñaṁ

vaidarbhī malayadhvajam

premṇā paryacarad dhitvā

bhogān sā pati-devatā

Translation

The daughter of King Vidarbha accepted her husband all in all as the Supreme. She gave up all sensual enjoyment and in complete renunciation followed the principles of her husband, who was so advanced. Thus she remained engaged in his service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor the Lord’s Confidential Servant

  1. 1

    Figuratively, Malayadhvaja represents the spiritual master and Vaidarbhī represents the disciple. Her loving service illustrates the disciple’s dedication.

  2. 2

    The spiritual master is honored like the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he is the Lord’s most confidential servant. He should not be neglected or disobeyed as an ordinary person.

  3. 3

    By satisfying a bona fide spiritual master, a disciple gains the opportunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Service without desire for sense gratification brings spiritual benefit.

Key points from the purport
  • Figuratively, King Malayadhvaja is the spiritual master, and his wife, Vaidarbhī, is the disciple.
  • The disciple accepts the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • One should accept the spiritual master not in the sense that the Māyāvādī philosophers do, but in the way recommended here.

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. patimher husband
  2. paramasupreme
  3. dharma-jñamknower of religious principles
  4. vaidarbhīthe daughter of Vidarbha
  5. malaya-dhvajamnamed Malayadhvaja
  6. premṇāwith love and affection
  7. paryacaratserved in devotion
  8. hitvāgiving up
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “principles”

  • 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 I show respect through service rather than through words alone?

Practice

Follow one instruction from a bona fide spiritual master with care today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Lord’s Confidential ServantThis 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 4.28.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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