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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
4.28.634.28.65

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.64

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

एवं स मानसो हंसो हंसेन प्रतिबोधित: ।

स्वस्थस्तद्वय‍‌भिचारेण नष्टामाप पुन: स्मृतिम् ॥ ६४ ॥

evaṁ sa mānaso haṁso

haṁsena pratibodhitaḥ

sva-sthas tad-vyabhicāreṇa

naṣṭām āpa punaḥ smṛtim

Translation

In this way both swans live together in the heart. When the one swan is instructed by the other, he is situated in his constitutional position. This means he regains his original Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which was lost because of his material attraction.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reviving Our Original Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    The individual soul and the Supersoul live together in the heart like two swans. They are one in quality, but the Supersoul is superior and instructs the individual soul.

  2. 2

    Material conditioning begins when the soul refuses to remain subordinate and tries to become an independent enjoyer. By hearing the Lord’s instructions and giving up this attitude, the soul regains his original Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, gives His instructions in Bhagavad-gītā. Understanding requires the grace of the Lord and a bona fide spiritual master, approached with humble inquiry and service—not academic qualifications alone.

Key points from the purport
  • Here it is clearly stated, haṁso haṁsena pratibodhitaḥ: the individual soul and the Supersoul are both compared to swans (haṁsa) because they are white, or uncontaminated.
  • When he hears the instructions of the other swan, he understands his real position and is again revived to his original consciousness.
  • The individual soul has to understand his position by the grace of the Lord and the spiritual master because the text of Bhagavad-gītā cannot be understood simply by academic qualifications.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.28.64 quotesBG 4.34

The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. evamthus
  2. saḥhe (the individual soul)
  3. mānasaḥliving together within the heart
  4. haṁsaḥlike the swan
  5. haṁsenaby the other swan
  6. pratibodhitaḥbeing instructed
  7. sva-sthaḥsituated in self-realization
  8. tat-vyabhicāreṇaby being separated from the Supersoul
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquiry”, “understanding”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.28

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

Where might my desire to be the independent enjoyer keep me from following the Lord’s instructions?

Practice

Read the instruction on humble inquiry and service quoted in this purport, and write down one sincere question about understanding your spiritual position.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReviving Our Original Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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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