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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
4.31.194.31.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

अपहतसकलैषणामलात्म-

न्यविरतमेधितभावनोपहूत: ।

निजजनवशगत्वमात्मनोऽय-

न्न सरति छिद्रवदक्षर: सतां हि ॥ २० ॥

apahata-sakalaiṣaṇāmalātmany

aviratam edhita-bhāvanopahūtaḥ

nija-jana-vaśa-gatvam ātmano ’yan

na sarati chidravad akṣaraḥ satāṁ hi

Translation

Being completely cleansed of all material desires, the devotees are freed from all mental contamination. Thus they can always think of the Lord constantly and address Him very feelingly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing Himself to be controlled by His devotees, does not leave them for a second, just as the sky overhead never becomes invisible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Remembrance Binds the Lord

  1. 1

    By always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, the pure devotee’s heart becomes free from material desires. With a completely cleansed mind, the devotee constantly perceives the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the heart.

  2. 2

    The devotee becomes completely dependent upon the Lord’s lotus feet and calls to Him with deep feeling. This dependence is expressed in prayers asking for shelter and service.

  3. 3

    Although invincible, the Lord is conquered by His pure devotee and enjoys this loving dependence. He never leaves His devotees, and their eternal relationship remains fixed.

Key points from the purport
  • When the mind is completely free from material desire, the devotee can think of the Lord constantly.
  • In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes dependent on His devotee.
  • Thinking Himself dependent on the devotee gives the Supreme Lord great enjoyment.

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 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. apahatavanquished
  2. sakalaall
  3. eṣaṇadesires
  4. amalaspotless
  5. ātmanito the mind
  6. aviratamconstantly
  7. edhitaincreasing
  8. bhāvanāwith feeling
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “cleansed”, “contamination”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotee’s”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “material”

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 I address the Lord, am I seeking material enjoyment or shelter in His service?

Practice

Pause today to pray in your own words for shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet and the opportunity to serve Him.

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.

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

Live this todayLoving Remembrance Binds the LordThis 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 4.31.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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