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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
4.31.214.31.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.22

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

श्रियमनुचरतीं तदर्थिनश्च

द्विपदपतीन् विबुधांश्च यत्स्वपूर्ण: ।

न भजति निजभृत्यवर्गतन्त्र:

कथममुमुद्विसृजेत्पुमान् कृतज्ञ: ॥ २२ ॥

śriyam anucaratīṁ tad-arthinaś ca

dvipada-patīn vibudhāṁś ca yat sva-pūrṇaḥ

na bhajati nija-bhṛtya-varga-tantraḥ

katham amum udvisṛjet pumān kṛta-jñaḥ

Translation

Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient, He becomes dependent on His devotees. He does not care for the goddess of fortune, nor for the kings and demigods who are after the favors of the goddess of fortune. Where is that person who is actually grateful and will not worship the Personality of Godhead?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gratitude for the Lord’s Loving Mercy

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient and does not require even the service of Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune. Yet out of causeless mercy, He becomes dependent on His devotees.

  2. 2

    A devotee favored by the Lord is greatly fortunate and cannot forget his obligation to Him. Gratitude naturally calls for worship and devotional service.

  3. 3

    The mutual attachment between Kṛṣṇa and His devotee is never material. It is a natural, eternal spiritual relationship.

Key points from the purport
  • Lakṣmī, however, is always after the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even though He does not require her service.
  • Actually, a devotee cannot forget his obligation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead even for a single moment.
  • Factually such attachment is natural both for the Supreme Lord and for the devotee, and it cannot be accepted as material.

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. śriyamthe goddess of fortune
  2. anucaratīmwho follows Him
  3. tatof her
  4. arthinaḥthose who aspire to get the favor
  5. caand
  6. dvipada-patīnrulers of the human beings
  7. vibudhāndemigods
  8. caalso
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: “devotees”, “worship”, “devotional service”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “favors”, “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “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

How can my gratitude for the Lord’s mercy become practical devotional service?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of thanks to the Supreme Lord today, expressing your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGratitude for the Lord’s Loving MercyThis 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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