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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 30: The Activities of the Pracetās
4.30.164.30.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.17

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 4.30.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दिव्यवर्षसहस्राणां सहस्रमहतौजस: ।

भौमान् भोक्ष्यथ भोगान् वै दिव्यांश्चानुग्रहान्मम ॥ १७ ॥

divya-varṣa-sahasrāṇāṁ

sahasram ahataujasaḥ

bhaumān bhokṣyatha bhogān vai

divyāṁś cānugrahān mama

Translation

The Lord then blessed all the Pracetās, saying: My dear princes, by My mercy you can enjoy all the facilities of this world as well as the heavenly world. Indeed, you can enjoy all of them without hindrance and with full strength for one million celestial years.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Gifts Support Devotional Service

  1. 1

    By His mercy, the Lord allowed the Pracetās to enjoy earthly and heavenly facilities for one million celestial years.

  2. 2

    Such a long material life ordinarily brings old age, invalidity, and other difficulties. The Pracetās, however, were granted full bodily strength by the Lord’s grace.

  3. 3

    These special facilities were given so that they could continue rendering full devotional service. Their enjoyment was not meant to replace service to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • In this way, for one million years according to the calculations of the higher planetary system the Pracetās were allowed to enjoy all kinds of material facilities.
  • Although this life span was so long, the Pracetās were given full bodily strength by the grace of the Lord.
  • The Pracetās, however, were given full bodily strength to enjoy material facilities.

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

Search → Devotional resolution. Prayer and instruction redirect household and societal life.

Chapters 30–31 of Canto 4: Pracetās and Nārada's concluding guidance. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 30: The Activities of the Pracetās

The Lord appears to the Pracetās, who pray only for His satisfaction; Brahmā later pacifies them.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.30
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. divyaof the heavenly planets
  2. varṣayears
  3. sahasrāṇāmof thousands
  4. sahasrama thousand
  5. ahatawithout being defeated
  6. ojasaḥyour power
  7. bhaumānof this world
  8. bhokṣyathayou will enjoy
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “mercy”, “blessed”, “grace”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.30

    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

Do I use my strength and available facilities to support devotional service?

Practice

Use a little of your available time, strength, or resources for one act of devotional service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Gifts Support Devotional ServiceThis 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 4.30.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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