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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 31: Nārada Instructs the Pracetās
4.31.14.31.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.31.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दीक्षिता ब्रह्मसत्रेण सर्वभूतात्ममेधसा ।

प्रतीच्यां दिशि वेलायां सिद्धोऽभूद्यत्र जाजलि: ॥ २ ॥

dīkṣitā brahma-satreṇa

sarva-bhūtātma-medhasā

pratīcyāṁ diśi velāyāṁ

siddho ’bhūd yatra jājaliḥ

Translation

The Pracetās went to the seashore in the west where the great liberated sage Jājali was residing. After perfecting the spiritual knowledge by which one becomes equal toward all living entities, the Pracetās became perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

See the Spirit Soul Within Everyone

  1. 1

    Cultivating spiritual knowledge means studying the Vedas and undergoing austerities and penances. Through determined practice, the Pracetās became perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    A spiritually advanced person sees the spirit soul rather than the outward bodily covering. This equal vision leads to pure devotional service.

  3. 3

    A learned devotee wants everyone to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One seeking spiritual perfection should seek sādhu-saṅga, association with a perfect devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • When one actually becomes spiritually advanced, he does not see the difference between one living entity and another.
  • When perfect knowledge is expanded, one ceases to see the outward covering of the living entity.
  • The place where the Pracetās were residing was perfect for executing spiritual activities, for it is indicated that the great sage Jājali attained mukti (liberation) there.

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· 2

The purport of SB 4.31.2 quotesBG 18.54

As Bhagavad-gītā (18.54) confirms: “One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful.

The purport of SB 4.31.2 quotesBG 5.18

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].”

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. dīkṣitāḥbeing determined
  2. brahma-satreṇaby understanding of the Supreme Spirit
  3. sarvaall
  4. bhūtaliving entities
  5. ātma-medhasāconsidering like one’s self
  6. pratīcyāmin the western
  7. diśidirection
  8. velāyāmon the seashore
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

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 would seeing the spirit soul change the way I regard someone different from me?

Practice

When you encounter a person or animal today, pause to remember the spirit soul within that body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySee the Spirit Soul Within EveryoneThis 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 4.31.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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