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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
4.29.834.29.85

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.84

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

एतन्मुकुन्दयशसा भुवनं पुनानं

देवर्षिवर्यमुखनि:सृतमात्मशौचम् ।

य: कीर्त्यमानमधिगच्छति पारमेष्ठ्यं

नास्मिन् भवे भ्रमति मुक्तसमस्तबन्ध: ॥ ८४ ॥

etan mukunda-yaśasā bhuvanaṁ punānaṁ

devarṣi-varya-mukha-niḥsṛtam ātma-śaucam

yaḥ kīrtyamānam adhigacchati pārameṣṭhyaṁ

nāsmin bhave bhramati mukta-samasta-bandhaḥ

Translation

This narration spoken by the great sage Nārada is full of the transcendental fame of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently this narration, when described, certainly sanctifies this material world. It purifies the heart of the living entity and helps him attain his spiritual identity. One who relates this transcendental narration will be liberated from all material bondage and will no longer have to wander within this material world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Speaking of Kṛṣṇa Purifies the Heart

  1. 1

    Nārada advised devotional service rather than wasting time in ritualistic ceremonies and fruitive activities. His descriptions of the subtle and gross bodies are authoritative.

  2. 2

    These narrations are full of the glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and effectively purify the mind. The more we speak of Kṛṣṇa, think of Kṛṣṇa and preach for Kṛṣṇa, the more we become purified.

  3. 3

    Understanding and relating this spiritual knowledge helps us attain our spiritual identity and freedom from material bondage. One transferred to the spiritual world no longer wanders within the material world.

Key points from the purport
  • The vivid descriptions of the subtle and gross bodies in this chapter are most scientific, and because they are given by the great sage Nārada, they are authoritative.
  • Because these narrations are full of the glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they constitute the most effective process for the purification of the mind.
  • One who is transferred to the spiritual world does not have to go up and down within this material world.

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 narration
  2. mukunda-yaśasāwith the fame of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  3. bhuvanamthis material world
  4. punānamsanctifying
  5. deva-ṛṣiof the great sages
  6. varyaof the chief
  7. mukhafrom the mouth
  8. niḥsṛtamuttered
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “narration”, “narrations”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “purifies”, “purify”

  • 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 much space do I make in my daily conversation for Kṛṣṇa and His glories?

Practice

Share one teaching from this narration with someone willing to hear it, emphasizing devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpeaking of Kṛṣṇa Purifies the HeartThis 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.

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