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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
4.29.104.29.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.11

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

नलिनी नालिनी नासे गन्ध: सौरभ उच्यते ।

घ्राणोऽवधूतो मुख्यास्यं विपणो वाग्रसविद्रस: ॥ ११ ॥

nalinī nālinī nāse

gandhaḥ saurabha ucyate

ghrāṇo ’vadhūto mukhyāsyaṁ

vipaṇo vāg rasavid rasaḥ

Translation

The two doors named Nalinī and Nālinī should be known as the two nostrils, and the city named Saurabha represents aroma. The companion spoken of as Avadhūta is the sense of smell. The door called Mukhyā is the mouth, and Vipaṇa is the faculty of speech. Rasajña is the sense of taste.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Nostrils, Mouth, and Their Functions

  1. 1

    Nalinī and Nālinī represent the two nostrils, and Saurabha represents aroma. Avadhūta is the sense of smell.

  2. 2

    The word avadhūta means “most free.” The purport compares this freedom to air, which does not care for obstruction.

  3. 3

    Mukhyā represents the mouth, Vipaṇa the faculty of speech, and Rasajña the sense of taste. With the tongue present, the mouth continually tastes relishable foodstuffs.

Key points from the purport
  • A person is not under the rules and regulations of any injunction when he has attained the stage of avadhūta.
  • Just as the air or wind cannot be checked by anyone, the two nostrils, situated in one place, enjoy the sense of smell without impediment.
  • When the tongue is present, the mouth continually tastes all kinds of relishable foodstuffs.

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 4.29.11 quotesBG 6.34

In Bhagavad-gītā (6.34) it is said: “The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Kṛṣṇa, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind.”

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 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. nalinīnamed Nalinī
  2. nālinīnamed Nālinī
  3. nāsethe two nostrils
  4. gandhaḥaroma
  5. saurabhaḥSaurabha (fragrance)
  6. ucyateis called
  7. ghrāṇaḥthe sense of smell
  8. avadhūtaḥcalled Avadhūta
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “companion”

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 often does the attraction of smell or taste draw my attention?

Practice

At one meal today, notice separately the aroma of the food and the tongue’s experience of taste.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.29's connections

Live this todayThe Nostrils, Mouth, and Their FunctionsThis 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 4.29.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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