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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
4.31.204.31.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

न भजति कुमनीषिणां स इज्यां

हरिरधनात्मधनप्रियो रसज्ञ: ।

श्रुतधनकुलकर्मणां मदैर्ये

विदधति पापमकिञ्चनेषु सत्सु ॥ २१ ॥

na bhajati kumanīṣiṇāṁ sa ijyāṁ

harir adhanātma-dhana-priyo rasa-jñaḥ

śruta-dhana-kula-karmaṇāṁ madair ye

vidadhati pāpam akiñcaneṣu satsu

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees. Even if such people offer the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is True Wealth

  1. 1

    A pure devotee feels that nothing material belongs to him and is happy in possessing devotional service. Though appearing materially poor, such a devotee is spiritually enriched and very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Pride in education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity can lead people to deride devotees. The Lord does not accept the worship of those who offend His pure devotees.

  3. 3

    Devotees find their happiness in the shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet rather than attachment to material possessions. Those seeking liberation must be very careful not to offend a pure devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead is dependent on His pure devotees.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead understands the position of His devotee.
  • Even though the great mystic directly approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he was never excused.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanever
  2. bhajatiaccepts
  3. ku-manīṣiṇāmof persons with a dirty heart
  4. saḥHe
  5. ijyāmoffering
  6. hariḥthe Supreme Lord
  7. adhanato those who have no material possessions
  8. ātma-dhanasimply dependent on the Lord
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”, “attachment”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “proud”, “pride”, “offend”

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

Do I measure spiritual worth by devotional service or by material status?

Practice

Before speaking about a devotee today, check your words for pride or ridicule and choose respectful speech.

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 todayDevotional Service Is True WealthThis 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 4.31.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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