1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.31.64.31.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.31.7

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:All the Pracetāssince 4.31.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तन्न: प्रद्योतयाध्यात्मज्ञानं तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम् ।

येनाञ्जसा तरिष्यामो दुस्तरं भवसागरम् ॥ ७ ॥

tan naḥ pradyotayādhyātma-

jñānaṁ tattvārtha-darśanam

yenāñjasā tariṣyāmo

dustaraṁ bhava-sāgaram

Translation

Dear master, kindly enlighten us in transcendental knowledge, which may act as a torchlight by which we may cross the dark nescience of material existence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Knowledge, Not Material Blessings

  1. 1

    The Pracetās asked Nārada for transcendental knowledge that would act like a torchlight. They wanted to cross the darkness of material existence.

  2. 2

    They were not seeking material benefits or the fulfillment of material desires. Having enjoyed material life sufficiently, they wanted freedom from its bondage.

  3. 3

    One should approach a saintly person for spiritual enlightenment. Asking for blessings merely to enjoy the material world is not recommended.

Key points from the purport
  • Everyone should be interested in getting out of these material clutches.
  • One should not bother a saintly person to get blessings for material enjoyment.
  • Generally, householders receive saintly persons to get their blessings, but their real aim is to become happy in the material world.

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. tattherefore
  2. naḥfor us
  3. pradyotayakindly awaken
  4. adhyātmatranscendental
  5. jñānamknowledge
  6. tattvaAbsolute Truth
  7. arthafor the purpose of
  8. darśanamphilosophy
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.31

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 seek spiritual guidance, am I asking for enlightenment or merely greater material comfort?

Practice

Write one question about freedom from material attachment rather than the fulfillment of a material desire.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Knowledge, Not Material BlessingsThis 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 4.31.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories