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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
4.28.514.28.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.52

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 4.28.52inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

ब्राह्मण उवाच

का त्वं कस्यासि को वायं शयानो यस्य शोचसि ।

जानासि किं सखायं मां येनाग्रे विचचर्थ ह ॥ ५२ ॥

brāhmaṇa uvāca

kā tvaṁ kasyāsi ko vāyaṁ

śayāno yasya śocasi

jānāsi kiṁ sakhāyaṁ māṁ

yenāgre vicacartha ha

Translation

The brāhmaṇa inquired as follows: Who are you? Whose wife or daughter are you? Who is the man lying here? It appears you are lamenting for this dead body. Don’t you recognize Me? I am your eternal friend. You may remember that many times in the past you have consulted Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Eternal Friend Guides Sincere Devotees

  1. 1

    The Supersoul is the living entity’s eternal friend and always remains with him. He has accompanied the living entity since before creation.

  2. 2

    Paramātmā is the caitya-guru, the spiritual master within. The Lord also gives instruction externally through the spiritual master.

  3. 3

    A sincere devotee becomes purified by following the spiritual master’s directions and receives the Supersoul’s help. Satisfying the spiritual master also satisfies Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the spiritual master is not different from the Supersoul sitting within the heart.
  • A sincere devotee who follows the instructions of the spiritual master certainly gets direct instructions from his heart from the Supersoul.
  • Thus a sincere devotee is always helped directly or indirectly by the spiritual master and the Supersoul.

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. brāhmaṇaḥ uvācathe learned brāhmaṇa said
  2. kāwho
  3. tvamyou
  4. kasyawhose
  5. asiare you
  6. kaḥwho
  7. vāor
  8. ayamthis man
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “inquired”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “lamenting”

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 sincerely am I following the spiritual guidance I have already received?

Practice

Write down one instruction from the spiritual master and identify one action you can take today to follow it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Eternal Friend Guides Sincere DevoteesThis 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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