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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
4.28.434.28.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.44

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

चीरवासा व्रतक्षामा वेणीभूतशिरोरुहा ।

बभावुप पतिं शान्ता शिखा शान्तमिवानलम् ॥ ४४ ॥

cīra-vāsā vrata-kṣāmā

veṇī-bhūta-śiroruhā

babhāv upa patiṁ śāntā

śikhā śāntam ivānalam

Translation

The daughter of King Vidarbha wore old garments, and she was lean and thin because of her vows of austerity. Since she did not arrange her hair, it became entangled and twisted in locks. Although she remained always near her husband, she was as silent and unagitated as the flame of an undisturbed fire.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Simplicity Supports Steady Spiritual Service

  1. 1

    The queen remained peaceful beside her husband, like an undisturbed flame. The purport compares steady austerity to a fire that burns calmly after its initial smoke and agitation.

  2. 2

    In the vānaprastha stage described here, husband and wife give up luxury and sexual relations. Their austerity supports advancement in spiritual consciousness.

  3. 3

    Steadiness in serving the spiritual master protects the disciple from falling into the clutches of māyā. The aim is freedom from bodily consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • At such a time both husband and wife are benefited spiritually.
  • In this way both husband and wife can live together perpetually.
  • In this way both husband and wife can advance in spiritual consciousness.

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. cīra-vāsāwearing old garments
  2. vrata-kṣāmālean and thin on account of austerities
  3. veṇī-bhūtaentangled
  4. śiroruhāher hair
  5. babhaushe shone
  6. upa patimnear the husband
  7. śāntāpeaceful
  8. śikhāflames
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyā”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

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

Which desire for luxury distracts me from steady spiritual service?

Practice

Forgo one unnecessary luxury today and keep your attention on your spiritual service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySimplicity Supports Steady Spiritual ServiceThis 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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