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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi
4.29.1a-2a4.29.2b

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.1b

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.29.80inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भक्ति: कृष्णे दया जीवेष्वकुण्ठज्ञानमात्मनि ।

यदि स्यादात्मनो भूयादपवर्गस्तु संसृते: ॥ १ब ॥

bhaktiḥ kṛṣṇe dayā jīveṣv

akuṇṭha-jñānam ātmani

yadi syād ātmano bhūyād

apavargas tu saṁsṛteḥ

Translation

If a living entity is developed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and is merciful to others, and if his spiritual knowledge of self-realization is perfect, he will immediately attain liberation from the bondage of material existence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve Kṛṣṇa and Share Spiritual Knowledge

  1. 1

    Developed Kṛṣṇa consciousness, mercy to others and perfect knowledge of the self bring liberation from material bondage.

  2. 2

    Every living entity is constitutionally an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. After understanding one’s own position, sharing this knowledge with others is real mercy.

  3. 3

    Humanitarian work may temporarily benefit the body, but spiritual knowledge addresses the living entity as spirit soul. Realizing oneself as Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant without sharing that knowledge leaves one’s realization imperfect.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the words dayā jīveṣu, meaning “mercy to other living entities,” indicate that a living entity must be merciful to other living entities if he wishes to make progress in self-realization.
  • Preaching this is showing real mercy to living entities.
  • Other types of humanitarian work may be temporarily beneficial for the body, but because a living entity is spirit soul, ultimately one can show him real mercy only by revealing knowledge of his spiritual existence.

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. bhaktiḥdevotional service
  2. kṛṣṇeunto Kṛṣṇa
  3. dayāmercy
  4. jīveṣuunto other living entities
  5. akuṇṭha-jñānamperfect knowledge
  6. ātmaniof the self
  7. yadiif
  8. syātit becomes
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”, “understanding”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “material”

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 can my growing understanding of service to Kṛṣṇa become a source of spiritual help for others?

Practice

Share this passage with one willing person, gently highlighting its teaching that every living entity is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Kṛṣṇa and Share Spiritual KnowledgeThis 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 4.29.1b? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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