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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
4.29.684.29.70

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.69

Mukti· Liberation
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

सत्त्वैकनिष्ठे मनसि भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनि ।

तमश्चन्द्रमसीवेदमुपरज्यावभासते ॥ ६९ ॥

sattvaika-niṣṭhe manasi

bhagavat-pārśva-vartini

tamaś candramasīvedam

uparajyāvabhāsate

Translation

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means constantly associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in such a mental state that the devotee can observe the cosmic manifestation exactly as the Supreme Personality of Godhead does. Such observation is not always possible, but it becomes manifest exactly like the dark planet known as Rāhu, which is observed in the presence of the full moon.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Grace Clears the Devotee’s Path

  1. 1

    Unlimited desires for material enjoyment keep the living entity moving from one gross body to another. Freedom from this cycle requires Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    When one is fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, stored material desires no longer fructify as future gross bodies. By the Lord’s grace, they can instead become visible within the mind.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, gives this special facility to His devotee. His grace clears the path for returning home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Instead, the stockpile of desires becomes visible on the mental platform by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Actually, they are not going to the moon but to the planet Rāhu, and after reaching this planet, they come back.
  • Similarly, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, a Kṛṣṇa conscious person can see all his dormant desires at one time and finish all his future transmigrations.

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. sattva-eka-niṣṭhein full Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  2. manasiin a mind
  3. bhagavatwith the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. pārśva-vartinibeing constantly associated
  5. tamaḥthe dark planet
  6. candramasiin the moon
  7. ivalike
  8. idamthis cosmic manifestation
  9. uparajyabeing connected
  10. avabhāsatebecomes manifest
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “grace”

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 could I give more attention to Kṛṣṇa rather than to plans for material enjoyment?

Practice

Set aside one minute today to think of Kṛṣṇa rather than pursue a desire for sense enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Grace Clears the Devotee’s PathThis 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 4.29.69? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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