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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
4.31.234.31.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.24

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.31.23inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तेऽपि तन्मुखनिर्यातं यशो लोकमलापहम् ।

हरेर्निशम्य तत्पादं ध्यायन्तस्तद्गतिं ययु: ॥ २४ ॥

te ’pi tan-mukha-niryātaṁ

yaśo loka-malāpaham

harer niśamya tat-pādaṁ

dhyāyantas tad-gatiṁ yayuḥ

Translation

Hearing from Nārada’s mouth the glories of the Lord, which vanquish all the ill fortune of the world, the Pracetās also became attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Meditating on His lotus feet, they advanced to the ultimate destination.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Leads to Attachment to the Lord

  1. 1

    By hearing the Lord’s glories from a realized devotee, the Pracetās developed strong attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Meditating on His lotus feet at the end of their lives, they reached the ultimate goal, Viṣṇuloka.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa asks us to think of Him, become His devotees, worship Him and offer Him homage. He promises that His devotees will come to Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Here it is seen that by hearing the glories of the Lord from a realized devotee, the Pracetās easily attained strong attachment for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Then, meditating on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord at the end of their lives, they advanced to the ultimate goal, Viṣṇuloka.
  • It is sure and certain that anyone who always hears the glories of the Lord and thinks of His lotus feet will reach that supreme destination.

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 4.31.24 quotesBG 18.65

As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.65): “Always think of Me and become My devotee.

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. tethe Pracetās
  2. apialso
  3. tatof Nārada
  4. mukhafrom the mouth
  5. niryātamgone forth
  6. yaśaḥglorification
  7. lokaof the world
  8. malasins
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worship”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 hearing the Lord’s glories help me remember Him during the day?

Practice

Read these words of Kṛṣṇa slowly, then spend a quiet minute thinking of His lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Leads to Attachment to 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 4.31.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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