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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 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi
4.29.94.29.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.10

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.5inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

खद्योताविर्मुखी चात्र नेत्रे एकत्र निर्मिते ।

रूपं विभ्राजितं ताभ्यां विचष्टे चक्षुषेश्वर: ॥ १० ॥

khadyotāvirmukhī cātra

netre ekatra nirmite

rūpaṁ vibhrājitaṁ tābhyāṁ

vicaṣṭe cakṣuṣeśvaraḥ

Translation

The two gates named Khadyotā and Āvirmukhī, which have been spoken of, are the two eyes side by side in one place. The town named Vibhrājita should be understood as form. In this way the two eyes are always engaged in seeing different kinds of forms.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Beautiful Forms Can Entangle the Eyes

  1. 1

    Khadyotā and Āvirmukhī represent the two eyes situated side by side. Vibhrājita represents form, which the eyes perceive.

  2. 2

    The eyes are attracted by bright and beautiful forms. Through this attraction, the living entity becomes entangled.

  3. 3

    The purport compares this attraction to insects drawn into a bright fire. What attracts the eyes can also lead to harm.

Key points from the purport
  • The two eyes are attracted by brilliant things like light.
  • Sometimes we find that little insects are attracted by the brightness of fire and thus enter into it.
  • Similarly, the two eyes of the living entity are attracted by bright and beautiful forms.

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 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi

Nārada explains the allegory and devotional service; Prācīnabarhi leaves home to perform austerities.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. khadyotānamed Khadyotā
  2. āvirmukhīnamed Āvirmukhī
  3. caalso
  4. atrahere
  5. netrethe two eyes
  6. ekatrain one place
  7. nirmitecreated
  8. rūpamform
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

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

When does attraction to something beautiful begin to entangle my attention?

Practice

When a bright or beautiful sight captures your attention today, pause before continuing to look and consider whether it is entangling you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeautiful Forms Can Entangle the EyesThis 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 4.29.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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