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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 31: Nārada Instructs the Pracetās
4.31.104.31.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.31.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रुतेन तपसा वा किं वचोभिश्चित्तवृत्तिभि: ।

बुद्ध्या वा किं निपुणया बलेनेन्द्रियराधसा ॥ ११ ॥

śrutena tapasā vā kiṁ

vacobhiś citta-vṛttibhiḥ

buddhyā vā kiṁ nipuṇayā

balenendriya-rādhasā

Translation

Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental speculation, elevated intelligence, strength, and the power of the senses?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowledge and Abilities Fulfill Their Purpose Through Devotion

  1. 1

    The essence of Vedic knowledge is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Study alone does not advance our relationship with Him if we miss this essence.

  2. 2

    Severe austerities, impressive speech, and thoughtful speculation cannot replace devotional service. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is understood through devotion.

  3. 3

    Animals may have senses much keener than ours, but this does not make their existence more important. Our intelligence, strength, and senses fulfill their purpose when they help us realize the Supreme.

Key points from the purport
  • If one has actually approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he does not need to undergo severe austerities.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead is understood through the process of devotional service.
  • There are also many thoughtful writers and creative philosophers, but despite all their learning, if they cannot approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are simply useless mental speculators.

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· 1

The purport of SB 4.31.11 quotesBG 15.15

The Lord confirms in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: “By all the Vedas, I am to be known.”

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 31: Nārada Instructs the Pracetās

The Pracetās leave home and receive Nārada’s instructions on satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrutenaby Vedic education
  2. tapasāby austerities
  3. vāor
  4. kimwhat is the meaning
  5. vacobhiḥby words
  6. cittaof consciousness
  7. vṛttibhiḥby the occupations
  8. buddhyāby intelligence
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Am I using my learning and abilities to understand Kṛṣṇa, or mainly to impress others and satisfy my senses?

Practice

Read one paragraph of this purport aloud, then identify what it teaches about knowing Kṛṣṇa through devotion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnowledge and Abilities Fulfill Their Purpose Through DevotionThis 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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