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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
4.29.14.29.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.2

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.2inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

नारद उवाच

पुरुषं पुरञ्जनं विद्याद्यद् व्यनक्त्यात्मन: पुरम् ।

एकद्वित्रिचतुष्पादं बहुपादमपादकम् ॥ २ ॥

nārada uvāca

puruṣaṁ purañjanaṁ vidyād

yad vyanakty ātmanaḥ puram

eka-dvi-tri-catuṣ-pādaṁ

bahu-pādam apādakam

Translation

The great sage Nārada Muni continued: You must understand that Purañjana, the living entity, transmigrates according to his own work into different types of bodies, which may be one-legged, two-legged, three-legged, four-legged, many-legged or simply legless. Transmigrating into these various types of bodies, the living entity, as the so-called enjoyer, is known as Purañjana.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Desire for Enjoyment Leads Through Different Bodies

  1. 1

    Purañjana represents the living entity, who transmigrates into different bodies according to his own work.

  2. 2

    These bodies include human beings, animals, insects and serpents. The descriptions of different numbers of legs indicate these various bodily conditions.

  3. 3

    The name Purañjana indicates one who enjoys possessing different types of bodies. His mentality for material enjoyment is accommodated by these bodies.

Key points from the purport
  • The word dvi-pāda, meaning “biped,” refers to human beings.
  • The word bahu-pāda refers to those creatures who have more than four legs.
  • The word apādaka, meaning “without legs,” refers to serpents.

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. nāradaḥ uvācaNārada said
  2. puruṣamthe living entity, the enjoyer
  3. purañjanamKing Purañjana
  4. vidyātone should know
  5. yatinasmuch as
  6. vyanaktihe produces
  7. ātmanaḥof himself
  8. puramdwelling place
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: “understand”

  • 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

What does this verse teach me about the connection between my desires, actions and bodily condition?

Practice

Notice one desire for bodily enjoyment today and pause to reflect on how desires guide your actions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDesire for Enjoyment Leads Through Different BodiesThis 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 4.29.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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