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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi
4.29.464.29.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.47

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

तस्मात्कर्मसु बर्हिष्मन्नज्ञानादर्थकाशिषु ।

मार्थद‍ृष्टिं कृथा: श्रोत्रस्पर्शिष्वस्पृष्टवस्तुषु ॥ ४७ ॥

tasmāt karmasu barhiṣmann

ajñānād artha-kāśiṣu

mārtha-dṛṣṭiṁ kṛthāḥ śrotra-

sparśiṣv aspṛṣṭa-vastuṣu

Translation

My dear King Barhiṣmān, you should never out of ignorance take to the Vedic rituals or to fruitive activity, which may be pleasing to hear about or which may appear to be the goal of self-interest. You should never take these to be the ultimate goal of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Mistake Temporary Benefits for Life’s Goal

  1. 1

    Vedic rituals may promise heavenly enjoyment, good birth and power. Nārada urges the King not to become attached to these temporary benefits.

  2. 2

    Temporary comforts on this planet or other planets do not touch the real purpose of life. Material advancement can sound pleasing while making us forget that purpose.

  3. 3

    The actual aim of human life is God realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Our real purpose is to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The real purpose of life is to go back home, back to Godhead.
  • Ignorant of the real purpose of life, people take to either gross materialistic activities or ritualistic activities.
  • The Vedic performances are, of course, very glittering and pleasing to hear about, but they do not serve the real purpose of life.

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 4.29.47 quotesBG 2.42

In Bhagavad-gītā (2.42-43) it is said:

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. karmasuin fruitive activities
  3. barhiṣmanO King Prācīnabarhiṣat
  4. ajñānātout of ignorance
  5. artha-kāśiṣuin the glittering fruitive result
  6. mānever
  7. artha-dṛṣṭimconsidering to be the aim of life
  8. kṛthāḥdo
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: “attached”, “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “king”

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

Which temporary benefit am I treating as though it were my ultimate goal?

Practice

Write down one temporary goal and, beside it, the reminder: “My real purpose is Kṛṣṇa consciousness and returning home, back to Godhead.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Mistake Temporary Benefits for Life’s GoalThis 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 4.29.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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