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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
4.28.64.28.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.28.7

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.28.1inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

विशीर्णां स्वपुरीं वीक्ष्य प्रतिकूलाननाद‍ृतान् ।

पुत्रान् पौत्रानुगामात्याञ्जायां च गतसौहृदाम् ॥ ७ ॥

viśīrṇāṁ sva-purīṁ vīkṣya

pratikūlān anādṛtān

putrān pautrānugāmātyāñ

jāyāṁ ca gata-sauhṛdām

Translation

King Purañjana then saw that everything in his town was scattered and that his sons, grandsons, servants and ministers were all gradually opposing him. He also noted that his wife was becoming cold and indifferent.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Life for Divine Service

  1. 1

    When the body becomes weak, its senses and organs no longer remain under one’s control. Purañjana also finds his family and followers opposing or neglecting him.

  2. 2

    Relationships centered on enjoyment involve demands for enjoyment in return. The purport explains that family members may become disinterested when the provider can no longer satisfy those demands.

  3. 3

    Human life is meant for understanding Brahman, the Absolute Truth, and engaging in His service as a Vaiṣṇava. Failing to use this opportunity makes one a kṛpaṇa, a miser who does not properly use what he has.

Key points from the purport
  • We get this facility in the human form of life, but if we do not properly utilize this opportunity, we become a kṛpaṇa, miser.
  • We can actually see that when one has money but does not spend it, he remains a miser and is never happy.
  • Similarly, when one’s intelligence is spoiled due to sense gratification, he remains a miser throughout his life.

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. viśīrṇāmscattered
  2. sva-purīmhis own town
  3. vīkṣyaseeing
  4. pratikūlānopposing elements
  5. anādṛtānbeing disrespectful
  6. putrānsons
  7. pautragrandsons
  8. anugaservants
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “indifferent”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understanding”

  • 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

Am I using my human intelligence for understanding and serving the Absolute Truth?

Practice

Spend five minutes today studying the Absolute Truth with the intention of serving Him, not merely collecting information.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Divine 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.28.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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