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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
4.29.334.29.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.34

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.34inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

नैकान्तत: प्रतीकार: कर्मणां कर्म केवलम् ।

द्वयं ह्यविद्योपसृतं स्वप्ने स्वप्न इवानघ ॥ ३४ ॥

naikāntataḥ pratīkāraḥ

karmaṇāṁ karma kevalam

dvayaṁ hy avidyopasṛtaṁ

svapne svapna ivānagha

Translation

Nārada continued: O you who are free from all sinful activity! No one can counteract the effects of fruitive activity simply by manufacturing a different activity devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. All such activity is due to our ignorance. When we have a troublesome dream, we cannot relieve it with a troublesome hallucination. One can counteract a dream only by awaking. Similarly, our material existence is due to our ignorance and illusion. Unless we awaken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we cannot be relieved of such dreams. For the ultimate solution to all problems, we must awaken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Awaken to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Another activity devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot counteract the effects of fruitive activity. It merely shifts the same burden.

  2. 2

    Elaborate arrangements for bodily comfort, even when successful, are only māyā. Taking on one trouble to counteract another cannot bring lasting happiness.

  3. 3

    Just as a troublesome dream ends by awakening, material illusion ends by awakening to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Real happiness is to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas therefore enjoin: “Don’t remain in the darkness of this material world.
  • The conclusion is that one cannot be perpetually happy as long as one exists in this material world.
  • The only remedy is to get out of this material world altogether and return home, back to Godhead.

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. nanever
  2. ekāntataḥultimately
  3. pratīkāraḥcounteraction
  4. karmaṇāmof different activities
  5. karmaanother activity
  6. kevalamonly
  7. dvayamboth
  8. hibecause
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”, “māyā”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

Am I seeking lasting happiness or only another arrangement for bodily comfort?

Practice

Take one minute today to reflect on returning home, back to Godhead, as your goal rather than bodily comfort alone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.29's connections

Live this todayAwaken to Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 4.29.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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