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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
4.30.424.30.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.43

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.30.43inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इति प्रचेतोभिरभिष्टुतो हरि:

प्रीतस्तथेत्याह शरण्यवत्सल: ।

अनिच्छतां यानमतृप्तचक्षुषां

ययौ स्वधामानपवर्गवीर्य: ॥ ४३ ॥

maitreya uvāca

iti pracetobhir abhiṣṭuto hariḥ

prītas tathety āha śaraṇya-vatsalaḥ

anicchatāṁ yānam atṛpta-cakṣuṣāṁ

yayau sva-dhāmānapavarga-vīryaḥ

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of surrendered souls, being thus addressed by the Pracetās and worshiped by them, replied, “May whatever you have prayed for be fulfilled.” After saying this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose prowess is never defeated, left. The Pracetās were unwilling to be separated from Him because they had not seen Him to their full satisfaction.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Kindness Extends to All Devotees

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead protects surrendered souls. Pleased with the Pracetās’ prayers and worship, He blessed their requests.

  2. 2

    The Pracetās did not want Him to leave because they had not seen Him to their full satisfaction. His departure nevertheless displayed renunciation, one of His six opulences.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s departure also showed kindness toward innumerable other devotees. Although unlimitedly kind to His devotees, He is not attached to anyone.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the Pracetās desired to see the Lord to their full satisfaction, the Lord left.
  • Although He was being attracted by the Pracetās, He left.
  • The conclusion is that although the Supreme Lord has unlimited kindness for His devotees, He is not attached to anyone.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. pracetobhiḥby the Pracetās
  4. abhiṣṭutaḥbeing praised
  5. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. prītaḥbeing pleased
  7. tathāso
  8. itithus
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: “worshiped”, “devotees”, “worship”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “protector”, “protects”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “separated”

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

Can I appreciate that the Lord’s kindness extends to innumerable devotees, not only to me?

Practice

During prayer today, remember the Lord’s care for His other devotees as well as for you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Kindness Extends to All DevoteesThis 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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