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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
4.29.694.29.71

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.70

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

नाहं ममेति भावोऽयं पुरुषे व्यवधीयते ।

यावद् बुद्धिमनोऽक्षार्थगुणव्यूहो ह्यनादिमान् ॥ ७० ॥

nāhaṁ mameti bhāvo ’yaṁ

puruṣe vyavadhīyate

yāvad buddhi-mano-’kṣārtha-

guṇa-vyūho hy anādimān

Translation

As long as there exists the subtle material body composed of intelligence, mind, senses, sense objects, and the reactions of the material qualities, the consciousness of false identification and its relative objective, the gross body, exist as well.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Beyond the Claims of “I” and “Mine”

  1. 1

    The desires of the subtle body—mind, intelligence and ego—require a gross material body for their fulfillment.

  2. 2

    Material identification, expressed as “I” and “mine,” has continued from time immemorial. The subtle activities of mind and intelligence continue through material suffering and enjoyment.

  3. 3

    By understanding Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can transfer to the spiritual world. There, the actions and reactions of both gross and subtle bodies no longer bother the spirit soul.

Key points from the purport
  • The desires in the subtle body of mind, intelligence and ego cannot be fulfilled without a gross body composed of the material elements earth, water, air, fire and ether.
  • In this verse it is clearly explained that the subtle activities of the mind and intelligence continue due to the sufferings and enjoyments of the living entity’s subtle body.
  • However, when one transfers to the spiritual world by virtue of understanding Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the actions and reactions of both gross and subtle bodies no longer bother the spirit soul.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. ahamI
  3. mamamine
  4. itithus
  5. bhāvaḥconsciousness
  6. ayamthis
  7. puruṣein the living entity
  8. vyavadhīyateis separated
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”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “spirit soul”, “understanding”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “suffering”

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

Where do I most strongly identify my body or possessions as “I” and “mine”?

Practice

Notice one thought of “I” or “mine” today and pause to distinguish the spirit soul from the material body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeyond the Claims of “I” and “Mine”This 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 4.29.70? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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