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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.33

Who is speaking and story frame

यथा हि पुरुषो भारं शिरसा गुरुमुद्वहन् ।

तं स्कन्धेन स आधत्ते तथा सर्वा: प्रतिक्रिया: ॥ ३३ ॥

yathā hi puruṣo bhāraṁ

śirasā gurum udvahan

taṁ skandhena sa ādhatte

tathā sarvāḥ pratikriyāḥ

Translation

A man may carry a burden on his head, and when he feels it to be too heavy, he sometimes gives relief to his head by putting the burden on his shoulder. In this way he tries to relieve himself of the burden. However, whatever process he devises to counteract the burden does nothing more than put the same burden from one place to another.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Shelter, Not Another Burden

  1. 1

    Moving a burden from the head to the shoulder does not free us from carrying it. Similarly, material remedies often replace one trouble with another.

  2. 2

    Automobiles offer swift travel but also bring traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel shortages. Our manufactured solutions do not actually put an end to our pains.

  3. 3

    The real way to minimize our problems is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and accept His protection. Being all-powerful, He can relieve our painful material existence.

Key points from the purport
  • This is a good description of an attempt to transfer a burden from one place to another.
  • In contemporary civilization we see that there are many automobiles manufactured to carry us swiftly from one place to another, but at the same time we have created other problems.
  • We simply place the burden from the head to the shoulder.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathāas
  2. hicertainly
  3. puruṣaḥa man
  4. bhārama burden
  5. śirasāon the head
  6. gurumheavy
  7. udvahancarrying
  8. tamthat
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: “material”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “surrender”

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 am I merely shifting a burden instead of seeking the Lord’s protection?

Practice

Pause over one worry today and offer a simple prayer of surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Shelter, Not Another BurdenThis 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 4.29.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.