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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
4.29.44.29.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.5

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.5inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

बुद्धिं तु प्रमदां विद्यान्ममाहमिति यत्कृतम् ।

यामधिष्ठाय देहेऽस्मिन् पुमान् भुङ्क्तेऽक्षभिर्गुणान् ॥ ५ ॥

buddhiṁ tu pramadāṁ vidyān

mamāham iti yat-kṛtam

yām adhiṣṭhāya dehe ’smin

pumān bhuṅkte ’kṣabhir guṇān

Translation

The great sage Nārada continued: The word pramadā mentioned in this regard refers to material intelligence, or ignorance. It is to be understood as such. When one takes shelter of this kind of intelligence, he identifies himself with the material body. Influenced by the material consciousness of “I” and “mine,” he begins to enjoy and suffer through his senses. Thus the living entity is entrapped.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Real Intelligence Recognizes Everything Belongs to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Material intelligence leads the living entity to identify with the body and think in terms of “I” and “mine.” This false claim of ownership is ignorance.

  2. 2

    When intelligence is aligned with Kṛṣṇa’s desires, it is called buddhi-yoga or bhakti-yoga. Kṛṣṇa gives His loving devotees the understanding by which they can return to Him.

  3. 3

    Even the body and senses are given by the Lord’s grace. Real intelligence acts when one understands that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • In material existence so-called intelligence is actually ignorance.
  • Intelligence in the material world is described in this verse as pramadā because in material existence the living entity falsely claims things to be his.
  • When the mirror of intelligence is polished, the real activities of the living entity begin.

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 4.29.5 quotesBG 10.10

Therefore in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10) Kṛṣṇa says: “To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

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. buddhimintelligence
  2. tuthen
  3. pramadāmthe young woman (Purañjanī)
  4. vidyātone should know
  5. mamamy
  6. ahamI
  7. itithus
  8. yat-kṛtamdone by intelligence
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”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

What do I strongly call “mine,” and how would recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s ownership change my attitude?

Practice

Choose one possession today, acknowledge that it belongs to Kṛṣṇa, and consider how to use it in His service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReal Intelligence Recognizes Everything Belongs to KṛṣṇaThis 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.

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