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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
4.29.134.29.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.14

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

आसुरी मेढ्रमर्वाग्द्वार्व्यवायो ग्रामिणां रति: ।

उपस्थो दुर्मद: प्रोक्तो निऋर्तिर्गुद उच्यते ॥ १४ ॥

āsurī meḍhram arvāg-dvār

vyavāyo grāmiṇāṁ ratiḥ

upastho durmadaḥ prokto

nirṛtir guda ucyate

Translation

The city called Grāmaka, which is approached through the lower gate of Āsurī [the genital organ], is meant for sex, which is very pleasing to common men who are simply fools and rascals. The faculty of procreation is called Durmada, and the rectum is called Nirṛti.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Mistake Indulgence for Spirituality

  1. 1

    Grāmaka represents sex, approached through Āsurī, the genital organ. The faculty of procreation is called Durmada, and the rectum is called Nirṛti.

  2. 2

    The purport explains durmada as “wrongly directed” and nirṛti as “sinful activity.” It rejects the sahajiyā claim that sexual indulgence elevates one to the spiritual platform.

  3. 3

    Although sahajiyā activities make Vṛndāvana appear degraded externally, its spiritual power remains. The purport explains that even sinful persons can be rectified through birth there as dogs, hogs, or monkeys.

Key points from the purport
  • When the world becomes degraded, civilization becomes demoniac, and for the common man the rectum and the genitals are taken very seriously as the centers of all activity.
  • Even in such a sacred place as Vṛndāvana, India, unintelligent men pass off this rectal and genital business as spiritual activity.
  • By living in Vṛndāvana as a dog, hog or monkey, the living entity can be elevated to the spiritual platform in the next 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 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. āsurīcalled Āsurī
  2. meḍhramthe genitals
  3. arvākof the fools and rascals
  4. dvāḥgate
  5. vyavāyaḥperforming sexual affairs
  6. grāmiṇāmof common men
  7. ratiḥattraction
  8. upasthaḥthe faculty of procreation
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 ever tempted to call sense indulgence spiritual activity?

Practice

Write one sentence distinguishing genuine spiritual activity from the pursuit of sexual indulgence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Mistake Indulgence for SpiritualityThis 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 4.29.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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