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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
4.30.444.30.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.45

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

ततोऽग्निमारुतौ राजन्नमुञ्चन्मुखतो रुषा ।

महीं निर्वीरुधं कर्तुं संवर्तक इवात्यये ॥ ४५ ॥

tato ’gni-mārutau rājann

amuñcan mukhato ruṣā

mahīṁ nirvīrudhaṁ kartuṁ

saṁvartaka ivātyaye

Translation

My dear King, at the time of devastation, Lord Śiva emits fire and air from his mouth out of anger. To make the surface of the earth completely treeless, the Pracetās also emitted fire and air from their mouths.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Become the Ruler of Your Senses

  1. 1

    In anger, the Pracetās emitted fire and air from their mouths to make the earth treeless. The translation compares this to Lord Śiva’s action at devastation.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that a dhīra never becomes angry because he is always situated in devotional service. Advanced devotees can control their senses.

  3. 3

    Just as a king governs citizens, a person who controls the senses is their king. Such a person is called a svāmī or gosvāmī.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse Vidura is addressed as rājan, which means “O King.”
  • Advanced devotees can control their senses; therefore a devotee can be addressed as rājan.
  • The svāmīs and gosvāmīs are therefore sometimes addressed as mahārāja, or king.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. agnifire
  3. mārutauand air
  4. rājanO King
  5. amuñcanthey emitted
  6. mukhataḥfrom their mouths
  7. ruṣāout of anger
  8. mahīmthe earth
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “king”, “governs”, “citizens”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

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

In what situation do I most need to govern my senses rather than follow anger?

Practice

When irritation arises today, pause before speaking and choose words consistent with devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBecome the Ruler of Your SensesThis 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 4.30.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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