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
4.29.824.29.84

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.83

Mukti· Liberation
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

एतदध्यात्मपारोक्ष्यं गीतं देवर्षिणानघ ।

य: श्रावयेद्य: श‍ृणुयात्स लिङ्गेन विमुच्यते ॥ ८३ ॥

etad adhyātma-pārokṣyaṁ

gītaṁ devarṣiṇānagha

yaḥ śrāvayed yaḥ śṛṇuyāt

sa liṅgena vimucyate

Translation

My dear Vidura, one who hears this narration concerning the understanding of the living entity’s spiritual existence, as described by the great sage Nārada, or who relates it to others, will be liberated from the bodily conception of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear Spiritual Knowledge and Leave Bodily Illusion

  1. 1

    One who hears Nārada's narration or relates it to others becomes liberated from the bodily conception of life. The narration explains the living entity's spiritual existence.

  2. 2

    The purport describes material existence as a dreamland, while the spiritual world is the real, factual platform. The soul enters this material dreamland through wanting to imitate the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Contact with the material modes leads the living entity to develop subtle and gross bodies. Association with Śrī Nārada Mahāmuni or his servants brings liberation from this dreamland and bodily identification.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually all existence in the material world is a dream of Mahā-Viṣṇu, as the Brahma-saṁhitā describes:
  • The real, factual platform is the spiritual world, but when the spirit soul wants to imitate the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is put into this dreamland of material creation.
  • When the living entity is fortunate enough to associate with Śrī Nārada Mahāmuni or his servants, he is liberated from this dreamland of material creation and the bodily conception of life.

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. etatthis
  2. adhyātmaspiritual
  3. pārokṣyamauthorized description
  4. gītamnarrated
  5. deva-ṛṣiṇāby the great sage Nārada
  6. anaghaO spotless Vidura
  7. yaḥanyone who
  8. śrāvayetmay describe
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “narration”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “material”

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

How can hearing Nārada's teachings help me loosen my identification with the body?

Practice

Read this translation aloud today, giving careful attention to its promise about hearing and sharing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Spiritual Knowledge and Leave Bodily IllusionThis 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 4.29.83? 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