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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.73

Who is speaking and story frame

अर्थे ह्यविद्यमानेऽपि संसृतिर्न निवर्तते ।

ध्यायतो विषयानस्य स्वप्नेऽनर्थागमो यथा ॥ ७३ ॥

arthe hy avidyamāne ’pi

saṁsṛtir na nivartate

dhyāyato viṣayān asya

svapne ’narthāgamo yathā

Translation

When the living entity dreams, the sense objects are not actually present. However, because one has associated with the sense objects, they become manifest. Similarly, the living entity with undeveloped senses does not cease to exist materially, even though he may not be exactly in contact with the sense objects.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Dormant Reactions Are Not Liberation

  1. 1

    Sense objects can appear in dreams even when they are not physically present, because of previous association with them.

  2. 2

    The effects of fruitive activities remain reserved in the subtle body before becoming manifest. A child’s innocence therefore does not mean that the child is a liberated soul.

  3. 3

    Even when the reactions of the gross and subtle bodies are not visible, material conditioning remains. The influence of the three modes can become manifest in due course.

Key points from the purport
  • In a conscious or unconscious state, the actions of the subtle or gross bodies may not be manifest, but such states cannot be called the liberated state.
  • The example has been given of a nocturnal emission, in which the physical senses act even when the physical objects are not manifest.
  • Even if the reactions of the subtle and gross bodies are not manifest, one does not become free from the material conditions.

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. arthesense objects
  2. hicertainly
  3. avidyamānenot being present
  4. apialthough
  5. saṁsṛtiḥmaterial existence
  6. nanever
  7. nivartateceases
  8. dhyāyataḥmeditating
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: “materially”, “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “child’s”

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

Do I ever mistake a quiet or inactive desire for freedom from material conditioning?

Practice

Notice one desire that returns after being quiet, and reflect that being dormant is not the same as being gone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDormant Reactions Are Not LiberationThis 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 4.29.73? Get an answer from the verses themselves.