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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
4.29.144.29.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.15

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

वैशसं नरकं पायुर्लुब्धकोऽन्धौ तु मे श‍ृणु ।

हस्तपादौ पुमांस्ताभ्यां युक्तो याति करोति च ॥ १५ ॥

vaiśasaṁ narakaṁ pāyur

lubdhako ’ndhau tu me śṛṇu

hasta-pādau pumāṁs tābhyāṁ

yukto yāti karoti ca

Translation

When it is said that Purañjana goes to Vaiśasa, it is meant that he goes to hell. He is accompanied by Lubdhaka, which is the working sense in the rectum. Formerly I have also spoken of two blind associates. These associates should be understood to be the hands and legs. Being helped by the hands and legs, the living entity performs all kinds of work and moves hither and thither.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Hands and Legs Enable Action

  1. 1

    Purañjana’s journey to Vaiśasa represents going to hell.

  2. 2

    His companion Lubdhaka represents the working sense in the rectum.

  3. 3

    The two blind associates represent the hands and legs. With their help, the living entity performs work and moves from place to 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. vaiśasamnamed Vaiśasa
  2. narakamhell
  3. pāyuḥthe working sense in the rectum
  4. lubdhakaḥnamed Lubdhaka (very greedy)
  5. andhaublind
  6. tuthen
  7. meto me
  8. śṛṇulisten
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 do my hands and legs help me carry out my daily activities?

Practice

During one ordinary task, notice how your hands and legs make the work possible.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Hands and Legs Enable ActionThis 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 4.29.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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