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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 30: The Activities of the Pracetās
4.30.284.30.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Pracetāssince 4.30.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

येनोपशान्तिर्भूतानां क्षुल्लकानामपीहताम् । अन्तर्हितोऽन्तर्हृदये कस्मान्नो वेद नाशिष: ॥ २९ ॥

yenopaśāntir bhūtānāṁ

kṣullakānām apīhatām

antarhito ’ntar-hṛdaye

kasmān no veda nāśiṣaḥ

Translation

When the Lord, out of His natural compassion, thinks of His devotee, by that process only are all desires of the neophyte devotee fulfilled. The Lord is situated in every living entity’s heart, although the living entity may be very insignificant. The Lord knows everything about the living entity, including all his desires. Although we are very insignificant, why should the Lord not know our desires?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Devotional Service Will Succeed

  1. 1

    An advanced devotee does not think himself advanced but remains humble. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Paramātmā, knows the attitudes and desires within everyone’s heart.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee simply wants to serve the Lord without material desire or ulterior motive. The Lord understands this sincere wish, even when the devotee considers himself insignificant.

  3. 3

    The Lord knows the sincerity of those who serve Him or His arcā-vigraha. A devotee who confidently continues the prescribed duties of devotional service will ultimately attain success.

Key points from the purport
  • Whatever a living entity desires, however insignificant he may be, is noted by the Lord, who gives him a chance to fulfill his desires.
  • If the desires of the nondevotees are fulfilled, why not those of the devotee?
  • A pure devotee simply wants to engage in the service of the Lord without material desire, and if he wants this within the core of his heart, where the Lord is situated, and if he is without ulterior motive, why should the Lord not understand?

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yenaby which process
  2. upaśāntiḥsatisfaction of all desires
  3. bhūtānāmof the living entities
  4. kṣullakānāmvery much fallen
  5. apialthough
  6. īhatāmdesiring many things
  7. antarhitaḥhidden
  8. antaḥ-hṛdayein the core of the heart
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • 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

Is my desire to serve the Lord mixed with a wish for something in return?

Practice

Complete one regular duty of devotional service today without asking for a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Devotional Service Will SucceedThis 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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