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

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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 ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi
4.29.584.29.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.59

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 4.29.56inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

इति वेदविदां वाद: श्रूयते तत्र तत्र ह ।

कर्म यत्क्रियते प्रोक्तं परोक्षं न प्रकाशते ॥ ५९ ॥

iti veda-vidāṁ vādaḥ

śrūyate tatra tatra ha

karma yat kriyate proktaṁ

parokṣaṁ na prakāśate

Translation

The expert knowers of the Vedic conclusions say that one enjoys or suffers the results of his past activities. But practically it is seen that the body that performed the work in the last birth is already lost. So how is it possible to enjoy or suffer the reactions of that work in a different body?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Subtle Body Carries Karma Forward

  1. 1

    The King asks how a person can experience reactions to past work when the body that performed it is gone. The purport addresses the demand for evidence of past karma.

  2. 2

    Although the gross body comes to an end, the subtle body continues. It carries the soul and the results of actions to the next gross body.

  3. 3

    The gross body depends on the subtle body and experiences enjoyment and suffering accordingly. The subtle body continues carrying the soul until liberation from gross material bondage.

Key points from the purport
  • They have no idea how the subtle body carries the results of the present body’s actions down to the next gross body.
  • Actually the gross body is dependent on the subtle body.
  • Therefore the next gross body must suffer and enjoy according to the subtle body.

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. itithus
  2. veda-vidāmof persons who know the Vedic conclusions
  3. vādaḥthe thesis
  4. śrūyateis heard
  5. tatra tatrahere and there
  6. hacertainly
  7. karmathe activity
  8. yatwhat
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”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “suffering”

  • 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

How does the continuation of the subtle body help me understand responsibility for my actions?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why the end of the gross body does not end the results of its actions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Subtle Body Carries Karma ForwardThis 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 4.29.59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories