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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.8

Who is speaking and story frame

अक्षिणी नासिके कर्णौ मुखं शिश्नगुदाविति ।

द्वे द्वे द्वारौ बहिर्याति यस्तदिन्द्रियसंयुत: ॥ ८ ॥

akṣiṇī nāsike karṇau

mukhaṁ śiśna-gudāv iti

dve dve dvārau bahir yāti

yas tad-indriya-saṁyutaḥ

Translation

The eyes, nostrils and ears are pairs of gates situated in one place. The mouth, genitals and rectum are also different gates. Being placed into a body having these nine gates, the living entity acts externally in the material world and enjoys sense objects like form and taste.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sense Enjoyment Can Obscure Spiritual Awareness

  1. 1

    The body has nine gates: two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, the mouth, genitals and rectum. Through these gates, the living entity acts in the material world.

  2. 2

    Unaware of his spiritual position, the living entity is directed by the mind toward material objects. Long association with these objects makes him forget his real spiritual activities.

  3. 3

    Leaders who lack knowledge of the spirit soul mislead the conditioned soul. Following such guidance brings further entanglement.

Key points from the purport
  • Not being aware of his spiritual position, the living entity, directed by the mind, goes out through the nine gates to enjoy material objects.
  • Because of long association with material objects, he forgets his real, spiritual activities and is thus misled.
  • Thus the conditioned soul becomes more and more entangled.

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. akṣiṇītwo eyes
  2. nāsiketwo nostrils
  3. karṇautwo ears
  4. mukhammouth
  5. śiśnagenitals
  6. gudauand rectum
  7. itithus
  8. dvetwo
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: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”

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

Which daily distractions make me forget my spiritual position?

Practice

Pause during one sensory distraction today and reread this verse’s warning about forgetting spiritual activities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Enjoyment Can Obscure Spiritual AwarenessThis 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 4.29.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.