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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
4.29.23-254.29.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.29.26-27

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

यदात्मानमविज्ञाय भगवन्तं परं गुरुम् ।

पुरुषस्तु विषज्जेत गुणेषु प्रकृते: स्वद‍ृक् ॥ २६ ॥

गुणाभिमानी स तदा कर्माणि कुरुतेऽवश: ।

शुक्लं कृष्णं लोहितं वा यथाकर्माभिजायते ॥ २७ ॥

yadātmānam avijñāya

bhagavantaṁ paraṁ gurum

puruṣas tu viṣajjeta

guṇeṣu prakṛteḥ sva-dṛk

guṇābhimānī sa tadā

karmāṇi kurute ’vaśaḥ

śuklaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ lohitaṁ vā

yathā-karmābhijāyate

Translation

The living entity by nature has minute independence to choose his own good or bad fortune, but when he forgets his supreme master, the Personality of Godhead, he gives himself up unto the modes of material nature. Being influenced by the modes of material nature, he identifies himself with the body and, for the interest of the body, becomes attached to various activities. Sometimes he is under the influence of the mode of ignorance, sometimes the mode of passion and sometimes the mode of goodness. The living entity thus gets different types of bodies under the modes of material nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Choose Service Rather Than Imitating the Lord

  1. 1

    The living entity has a little independence and can choose his own welfare. Because he is very minute, he can also be misled in his choice.

  2. 2

    Forgetting the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entity identifies with the body and acts under the modes of nature. Association with these modes leads to different kinds of bodies.

  3. 3

    Material bondage comes from leaving the Lord’s service and trying to imitate Him. The living entity is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa but can never become equal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Because of associating with the modes of nature, the living entity gets a variety of bodies from the 8,400,000 forms.
  • Thus there is a great struggle for existence with the material world as different parties try to imitate the Lord.
  • Material bondage is caused by deviation from the service of the Lord and attempts to imitate Him.

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 4.29.26-27 quotesBG 13.22

These different types of bodies are explained in Bhagavad-gītā (13.22): “The living entity in material nature follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature.

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. yadāwhen
  2. ātmānamthe Supreme Soul
  3. avijñāyaforgetting
  4. bhagavantamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. paramsupreme
  6. gurumthe instructor
  7. puruṣaḥthe living entity
  8. tuthen
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

Where do I notice a desire to act independently of the Lord rather than serve Him?

Practice

Before one activity today, pause and consider how to approach it as a servant of Kṛṣṇa rather than as an independent enjoyer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChoose Service Rather Than Imitating the LordThis 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 4.29.26-27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.