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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.29.42-44

प्रजापतिपति: साक्षाद्भगवान् गिरिशो मनु: ।

दक्षादय: प्रजाध्यक्षा नैष्ठिका: सनकादय: ॥ ४२ ॥

मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्य: पुलह: क्रतु: ।

भृगुर्वसिष्ठ इत्येते मदन्ता ब्रह्मवादिन: ॥ ४३ ॥

अद्यापि वाचस्पतयस्तपोविद्यासमाधिभि: ।

पश्यन्तोऽपि न पश्यन्ति पश्यन्तं परमेश्वरम् ॥ ४४ ॥

prajāpati-patiḥ sākṣād

bhagavān giriśo manuḥ

dakṣādayaḥ prajādhyakṣā

naiṣṭhikāḥ sanakādayaḥ

marīcir atry-aṅgirasau

pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ

bhṛgur vasiṣṭha ity ete

mad-antā brahma-vādinaḥ

adyāpi vācas-patayas

tapo-vidyā-samādhibhiḥ

paśyanto ’pi na paśyanti

paśyantaṁ parameśvaram

Translation

The most powerful Lord Brahmā, the father of all progenitors; Lord Śiva; Manu, Dakṣa and the other rulers of humankind; the four saintly first-class brahmacārīs headed by Sanaka and Sanātana; the great sages Marīci, Atri, Aṅgirā, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhṛgu and Vasiṣṭha; and my humble self [Nārada] are all stalwart brāhmaṇas who can speak authoritatively on Vedic literature. We are very powerful because of austerities, meditation and education. Nonetheless, even after inquiring about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whom we always see, we do not know perfectly about Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding the Lord Requires Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    Even the powerful sages, learned in Vedic knowledge and strengthened by austerities, cannot know the unlimited Lord perfectly. Their knowledge remains limited despite their meeting Him.

  2. 2

    Simply advancing in knowledge does not make one expert in understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Knowledge is not perfect unless one comes to devotional service.

  3. 3

    The Lord is understood in truth through pure devotional service and His favor. Speculation alone cannot reveal His supreme glories.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.