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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
4.29.624.29.64

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.63

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.29.60inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King Prācīnabarhi

यथानुमीयते चित्तमुभयैरिन्द्रियेहितै: ।

एवं प्राग्देहजं कर्म लक्ष्यते चित्तवृत्तिभि: ॥ ६३ ॥

yathānumīyate cittam

ubhayair indriyehitaiḥ

evaṁ prāg-dehajaṁ karma

lakṣyate citta-vṛttibhiḥ

Translation

One can understand the mental or conscious position of a living entity by the activities of two kinds of senses — the knowledge-acquiring senses and the executive senses. Similarly, by the mental condition or consciousness of a person, one can understand his position in the previous life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our Actions Reveal the Mind

  1. 1

    The activities of the body and senses reveal the condition of the mind. Thinking, feeling and willing become visible through bodily actions.

  2. 2

    The mind’s condition is affected by activities in a previous body. Anger, for example, can appear through harsh speech or physical aggression.

  3. 3

    A mind absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness also expresses itself through the senses. The tongue chants Hare Kṛṣṇa, and the body may express transcendental ecstasy through raised hands and dancing.

Key points from the purport
  • In other words, the activities of the gross body are reactions of the mental condition.
  • The willing portion of the mind is manifest by the activities of the body.
  • The conclusion is that by the activities of the body and senses, we can understand the condition of the mind.

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. yathāas
  2. anumīyatecan be imagined
  3. cittamone’s consciousness or mental condition
  4. ubhayaiḥboth
  5. indriyaof the senses
  6. īhitaiḥby the activities
  7. evamsimilarly
  8. prākprevious
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “knowledge-acquiring”, “understand”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “chants”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

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 my words and actions reveal about the present condition of my mind?

Practice

Use your tongue to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa attentively for a few minutes today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur Actions Reveal the MindThis 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 4.29.63? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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