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 31: Nārada Instructs the Pracetās
4.31.184.31.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.19

Mukti· Liberation
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

दयया सर्वभूतेषु सन्तुष्ट्या येन केन वा ।

सर्वेन्द्रियोपशान्त्या च तुष्यत्याशु जनार्दन: ॥ १९ ॥

dayayā sarva-bhūteṣu

santuṣṭyā yena kena vā

sarvendriyopaśāntyā ca

tuṣyaty āśu janārdanaḥ

Translation

By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other, and restricting the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janārdana.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy, Contentment and Sense Control

  1. 1

    Showing mercy to all living entities, remaining satisfied and restricting sense enjoyment quickly satisfy Janārdana. The best mercy is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness so others can take up devotional service.

  2. 2

    Mercy extends beyond human beings to all living entities. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra aloud spiritually benefits even trees, animals and insects.

  3. 3

    Devotees should remain satisfied in all conditions while spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The senses are automatically controlled when the mind is engaged in the Lord’s service.

Key points from the purport
  • These are some of the ways in which the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be satisfied by the devotee.
  • Thus when one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra loudly, he actually shows mercy to all living entities.
  • Even while preaching in hell, a pure devotee remains a pure devotee by his constant association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 4.31.19 quotesSB 6.17.28

api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ. It does not matter to the pure devotee if he has to go to hell to preach.

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. dayayāby showing mercy
  2. sarva-bhūteṣuto all living entities
  3. santuṣṭyāby being satisfied
  4. yena kena vāsomehow or other
  5. sarva-indriyaall the senses
  6. upaśāntyāby controlling
  7. caalso
  8. tuṣyatibecomes satisfied
  9. āśuvery soon
  10. janārdanaḥthe Lord of all living entities
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”

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

How can I show mercy today while keeping my mind engaged in the Lord’s service?

Practice

Spend a few minutes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra aloud, remembering that other living entities can benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 6.17.28

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.31's connections

Live this todayMercy, Contentment and Sense ControlThis 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 4.31.19? 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