1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.29.214.29.23-25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.22

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.18-20inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

कालकन्या जरा साक्षाल्लोकस्तां नाभिनन्दति ।

स्वसारं जगृहे मृत्यु: क्षयाय यवनेश्वर: ॥ २२ ॥

kāla-kanyā jarā sākṣāl

lokas tāṁ nābhinandati

svasāraṁ jagṛhe mṛtyuḥ

kṣayāya yavaneśvaraḥ

Translation

What was described as Kālakanyā should be understood as old age. No one wants to accept old age, but Yavaneśvara [Yavana-rāja], who is death, accepts Jarā [old age] as his sister.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Conquers Death

  1. 1

    Kālakanyā represents old age, which no one welcomes. Yavaneśvara represents death and accepts Jarā, old age, as his sister.

  2. 2

    Impious activity brings one under the influence of Yavana-rāja and Jarā. Those in Kṛṣṇa consciousness who engage in devotional service under Nārada Muni’s instructions are not subject to their influence.

  3. 3

    One who is Kṛṣṇa conscious conquers death: after leaving the material body, one does not accept another material body. One returns home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Encaged within the body, the living being accepts Kālakanyā, old age, just before death.
  • Before going to the place of Yamarāja, the living entity accepts Jarā, old age, the sister of Yamarāja.
  • Those who are in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and are engaged in devotional service under the instructions of Nārada Muni are not subjected to the influence of Yamarāja and his sister Jarā.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.29.22 quotesBG 4.9

After leaving the material body, he does not accept another body that is material but returns home, back to Godhead.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. kāla-kanyāthe daughter of Time
  2. jarāold age
  3. sākṣātdirectly
  4. lokaḥall living entities
  5. tāmher
  6. nanever
  7. abhinandatiwelcome
  8. svasāramas his sister
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 does the promise of returning to Godhead change my priorities today?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for devotional service, remembering the goal of returning home, back to Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Conquers DeathThis 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 4.29.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories