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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
4.29.64.29.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.7

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

बृहद्बलं मनो विद्यादुभयेन्द्रियनायकम् ।

पञ्चाला: पञ्च विषया यन्मध्ये नवखं पुरम् ॥ ७ ॥

bṛhad-balaṁ mano vidyād

ubhayendriya-nāyakam

pañcālāḥ pañca viṣayā

yan-madhye nava-khaṁ puram

Translation

The eleventh attendant, who is the commander of the others, is known as the mind. He is the leader of the senses both in the acquisition of knowledge and in the performance of work. The Pañcāla kingdom is that atmosphere in which the five sense objects are enjoyed. Within that Pañcāla kingdom is the city of the body, which has nine gates.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Engage the Mind at the Lord’s Feet

  1. 1

    The mind is very powerful and leads both the knowledge-acquiring and working senses. It is the center of all activities.

  2. 2

    According to its training, the mind becomes either a friend or an enemy. An uncontrolled mind can misdirect the living entity toward sense enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Ambarīṣa Mahārāja first engaged his mind upon the lotus feet of the Lord. When the mind is engaged in this meditation, the senses are controlled.

Key points from the purport
  • When the mind is engaged in meditation on the lotus feet of the Lord, the senses are controlled.
  • One who can subdue the senses is called a gosvāmī, but one who cannot control the mind is called go-dāsa.
  • The mind directs the activities of the senses, which are expressed through different outlets, as described in the next verse.

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. bṛhat-balamvery powerful
  2. manaḥthe mind
  3. vidyātone should know
  4. ubhaya-indriyaof both groups of senses
  5. nāyakamthe leader
  6. pañcālāḥthe kingdom named Pañcāla
  7. pañcafive
  8. viṣayāḥsense objects
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”, “knowledge-acquiring”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “kingdom”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “friend”

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

Is my mind directing my senses toward enjoyment or toward the Lord?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute today meditating on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, gently bringing your attention back when it wanders.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.29's connections

Live this todayEngage the Mind at the Lord’s FeetThis 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 4.29.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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