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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
4.28.534.28.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.54

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 4.28.53inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

हंसावहं च त्वं चार्य सखायौ मानसायनौ ।

अभूतामन्तरा वौक: सहस्रपरिवत्सरान् ॥ ५४ ॥

haṁsāv ahaṁ ca tvaṁ cārya

sakhāyau mānasāyanau

abhūtām antarā vaukaḥ

sahasra-parivatsarān

Translation

My dear gentle friend, both you and I are exactly like two swans. We live together in the same heart, which is just like the Mānasa Lake. Although we have been living together for many thousands of years, we are still far away from our original home.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Remains Our Intimate Friend

  1. 1

    The Lord and the living entity are compared to two swans living together in the heart, like the Mānasa Lake.

  2. 2

    Their original home is the spiritual world. There the living entity serves the Lord, and they share a peaceful, blissful life.

  3. 3

    Even in material existence, the Lord stays with the living entity as the Supersoul. Forgetfulness prevents the living entity from recognizing this intimate friend.

Key points from the purport
  • The original home of the living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the spiritual world.
  • Since the living entity remains engaged in the service of the Lord, they both share a blissful life in the spiritual world.
  • Although the Lord follows him as a friend, the living entity, because of forgetful material existence, does not recognize Him.

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. haṁsautwo swans
  2. ahamI
  3. caand
  4. tvamyou
  5. caalso
  6. āryaO great soul
  7. sakhāyaufriends
  8. mānasa-ayanautogether in the Mānasa Lake
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 might remembering the Lord’s constant companionship affect my desire to serve Him?

Practice

Pause for one minute today to remember the Lord as your intimate friend within the heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Remains Our Intimate FriendThis 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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