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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
4.30.184.30.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.19

Mukti· Liberation
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

गृहेष्वाविशतां चापि पुंसां कुशलकर्मणाम् ।

मद्वार्तायातयामानां न बन्धाय गृहा मता: ॥ १९ ॥

gṛheṣv āviśatāṁ cāpi

puṁsāṁ kuśala-karmaṇām

mad-vārtā-yāta-yāmānāṁ

na bandhāya gṛhā matāḥ

Translation

Those who are engaged in auspicious activities in devotional service certainly understand that the ultimate enjoyer or beneficiary of all activities is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus when one acts, he offers the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes life always engaged in the topics of the Lord. Even though such a person may be participating in family life, he is not affected by the results of his actions.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Your Work to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    A devotee knows that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the supreme enjoyer and proprietor. Therefore, the devotee offers the results of work to Him rather than claiming them for personal enjoyment.

  2. 2

    The same activities can cause either bondage or liberation. Work for sense gratification binds us, while work for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction frees us.

  3. 3

    Family life need not obstruct devotional service. By engaging life, wealth, words, intelligence and possessions in the Lord’s service, one can remain liberated in any condition.

Key points from the purport
  • The devotee always thinks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the proprietor; therefore the results of his business are offered to the Supreme Lord.
  • If one is placed in material opulence due to the special mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he should not consider that opulence a cause for bondage.
  • Material opulence detrimental to devotional service is taken away by the Supreme Lord, whereas a person who is mature in devotional service is given all 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.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 4.30.19 quotesBG 3.9

This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (3.9): One who tries to enjoy the results of his activities becomes bound by the results.

The purport of SB 4.30.19 quotesBG 3.19

As reiterated later in the Third Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā (3.19): “Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme.”

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

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gṛheṣuin family life
  2. āviśatāmwho have entered
  3. caalso
  4. apieven
  5. puṁsāmof persons
  6. kuśala-karmaṇāmengaged in auspicious activities
  7. mat-vārtāin topics about Me
  8. yātais expended
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “wealth”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “understand”

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

What part of my daily work could I engage in Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than only for my own enjoyment?

Practice

Choose one task today and consciously dedicate its work and results to Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.30's connections

Live this todayOffer Your Work to KṛṣṇaThis 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 4.30.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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