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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
4.29.844.29.1a-2a

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.29.85

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

अध्यात्मपारोक्ष्यमिदं मयाधिगतमद्भुतम् ।

एवं स्त्रियाश्रम: पुंसश्छिन्नोऽमुत्र च संशय: ॥ ८५ ॥

adhyātma-pārokṣyam idaṁ

mayādhigatam adbhutam

evaṁ striyāśramaḥ puṁsaś

chinno ’mutra ca saṁśayaḥ

Translation

The allegory of King Purañjana, described herein according to authority, was heard by me from my spiritual master, and it is full of spiritual knowledge. If one can understand the purpose of this allegory, he will certainly be relieved from the bodily conception and will clearly understand life after death. Although one may not understand what transmigration of the soul actually is, one can fully understand it by studying this narration.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding the Soul Beyond the Body

  1. 1

    The allegory of King Purañjana was heard from a spiritual master and is full of spiritual knowledge. Understanding its purpose frees one from the bodily conception and clarifies life after death.

  2. 2

    Attraction between male and female forms a hard knot within the heart. It deepens attachment to home, land, children, friends and money, strengthening the bodily conception of “I” and “mine.”

  3. 3

    Understanding how sexual attraction led Purañjana to become a female in his next life helps explain transmigration of the soul. Full understanding of spiritual life removes attraction for the opposite sex.

Key points from the purport
  • The attraction between male and female in this material world is very strong.
  • In all species of life the attraction between male and female is the basic principle of existence.
  • By such attraction one becomes overly attached to 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.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.29.85 quotesSB 5.5.8

janasya moho ’yam ahaṁ mameti. Everyone comes to this material world attracted to sense gratification, and the hard knot of sense gratification is the attraction between male and female.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. adhyātmaspiritual
  2. pārokṣyamdescribed by authority
  3. idamthis
  4. mayāby me
  5. adhigatamheard
  6. adbhutamwonderful
  7. evamthus
  8. striyāwith a wife
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: “knowledge”, “understand”, “understanding”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “heard”, “narration”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.29

    In this verse: “death”

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

Where do I notice the sense of “I” and “mine” strengthening my attachment to bodily life?

Practice

Reread the translation today and write one sentence explaining how its teaching distinguishes the soul from the body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding the Soul Beyond the BodyThis 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 4.29.85? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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