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

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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 ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 29: Talks Between Nārada and King Prācīnabarhi
4.29.794.29.81

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.80

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.29.80inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

भागवतमुख्यो भगवान्नारदो हंसयोर्गतिम् ।

प्रदर्श्य ह्यमुमामन्‍त्र्य सिद्धलोकं ततोऽगमत् ॥ ८० ॥

maitreya uvāca

bhāgavata-mukhyo bhagavān

nārado haṁsayor gatim

pradarśya hy amum āmantrya

siddha-lokaṁ tato ’gamat

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: The supreme devotee, the great saint Nārada, thus explained to King Prācīnabarhi the constitutional position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entity. After giving an invitation to the King, Nārada Muni left to return to Siddhaloka.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nārada Explains the Lord and Living Entity

  1. 1

    Nārada explained to King Prācīnabarhi the constitutional position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entity. After instructing the King, he invited him to Siddhaloka.

  2. 2

    Siddhaloka is considered one of the satellites of Brahmaloka, the highest planet within this universe. Its inhabitants possess all the powers of yogic mysticism.

  3. 3

    The residents of Siddhaloka can travel between planets without mechanical help through yogic perfection. Nārada appears here as an inhabitant of Siddhaloka, although he travels throughout the planetary systems.

Key points from the purport
  • Siddhaloka and Brahmaloka are both within the same planetary system.
  • From this verse it appears that the great sage Nārada is an inhabitant of Siddhaloka, although he travels to all the planetary systems.
  • After giving instructions to the great King Prācīnabarhi, Nārada Muni departed and also invited him to Siddhaloka.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. bhāgavataof the devotees
  3. mukhyaḥthe chief
  4. bhagavānthe most powerful
  5. nāradaḥNārada Muni
  6. haṁsayoḥof the living entity and the Lord
  7. gatimconstitutional position
  8. pradarśyahaving shown
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “king”

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

Am I giving careful attention to Nārada's explanation of the Lord and the living entity?

Practice

Reread the translation today and identify the two subjects Nārada explained to the King.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNārada Explains the Lord and Living EntityThis 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 4.29.80? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories