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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
4.29.124.29.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.13

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.13inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

प्रवृत्तं च निवृत्तं च शास्त्रं पञ्चालसंज्ञितम् ।

पितृयानं देवयानं श्रोत्राच्छ्रुतधराद्‌व्रजेत् ॥ १३ ॥

pravṛttaṁ ca nivṛttaṁ ca

śāstraṁ pañcāla-saṁjñitam

pitṛ-yānaṁ deva-yānaṁ

śrotrāc chruta-dharād vrajet

Translation

Nārada Muni continued: The city spoken of as Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents the scriptures meant for directing pravṛtti, the process of sense enjoyment in fruitive activities. The other city, named Uttara-pañcāla, represents the scriptures meant for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge. The living entity receives different kinds of knowledge by means of two ears, and some living entities are promoted to Pitṛloka and some to Devaloka. All this is made possible by the two ears.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Opens Different Spiritual Destinations

  1. 1

    Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents scriptures directing sense enjoyment through fruitive activities. Uttara-pañcāla represents scriptures for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge.

  2. 2

    The Vedas are known as śruti. Knowledge received from them through hearing is called śruta-dhara.

  3. 3

    Through hearing, one can be promoted to the planets of the demigods or forefathers, or even to the Vaikuṇṭha planets. The knowledge received through the ears can therefore shape one’s destination.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas are known as śruti, and the knowledge received from them through aural reception is called śruta-dhara.
  • As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, one can be promoted to the planets of the demigods or to the planets of the Pitās (forefathers), or even to the Vaikuṇṭha planets, simply through the process of hearing.
  • These things have already been explained in previous chapters.

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. pravṛttamthe process of sense enjoyment
  2. caalso
  3. nivṛttamthe process of detachment
  4. caalso
  5. śāstramscripture
  6. pañcālaPañcāla
  7. saṁjñitamis described as
  8. pitṛ-yānamgoing to Pitṛloka
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.29

    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

What kind of knowledge am I choosing to receive through hearing?

Practice

Listen attentively as this translation is read aloud, noting the difference between increasing enjoyment and decreasing fruitive activity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Opens Different Spiritual DestinationsThis 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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