1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.30.74.30.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.30.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 4.30.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वरं वृणीध्वं भद्रं वो यूयं मे नृपनन्दना: ।

सौहार्देनापृथग्धर्मास्तुष्टोऽहं सौहृदेन व: ॥ ८ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

varaṁ vṛṇīdhvaṁ bhadraṁ vo

yūyaṁ me nṛpa-nandanāḥ

sauhārdenāpṛthag-dharmās

tuṣṭo ’haṁ sauhṛdena vaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation — devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Friendship in Devotional Service Pleases Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The Pracetās were individual souls united in devotional service. Their mutual friendship pleased the Lord, who invited them to ask a benediction.

  2. 2

    Real unity means joining together to satisfy the Supreme Lord. Material interests create disunity, even when people are officially united.

  3. 3

    In Kṛṣṇa consciousness there is one goal: to serve Kṛṣṇa to one’s best ability. Differences over service can be spiritual when everyone is genuinely engaged in pleasing Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the sons of King Prācīnabarhiṣat were all united in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the Lord was very pleased with them.
  • Each and every one of the sons of King Prācīnabarhiṣat was an individual soul, but they were united in offering transcendental service to the Lord.
  • Those who are actually engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be disunited in any circumstance.

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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. varambenediction
  3. vṛṇīdhvamask
  4. bhadramgood fortune
  5. vaḥof you
  6. yūyamyou
  7. mefrom Me
  8. nṛpa-nandanāḥO sons of the King
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “friendly”, “friendship”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.30

    In this verse: “king”

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

When working with others, am I focused on serving Kṛṣṇa or on my own interests?

Practice

Offer friendly help to someone today with one small task in devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFriendship in Devotional Service Pleases 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 4.30.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories