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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 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest
4.8.634.8.65

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.8.64

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.8.64inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नारद उवाच

राजन् किं ध्यायसे दीर्घं मुखेन परिशुष्यता ।

किं वा न रिष्यते कामो धर्मो वार्थेन संयुत: ॥ ६४ ॥

nārada uvāca

rājan kiṁ dhyāyase dīrghaṁ

mukhena pariśuṣyatā

kiṁ vā na riṣyate kāmo

dharmo vārthena saṁyutaḥ

Translation

The great sage Nārada inquired: My dear King, your face appears to be withering up, and you look like you have been thinking of something for a very long time. Why is that? Have you been hampered in following your path of religious rites, economic development and sense gratification?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Limits of Material Goals

  1. 1

    Nārada noticed the King’s withered appearance and prolonged worry. He asked whether religious rites, economic development or sense gratification had been obstructed.

  2. 2

    The purport describes state management as serving these three aims. Nārada did not ask the King about liberation because those absorbed in these activities are not interested in it.

  3. 3

    Liberation is meant for those who have lost interest in ritualistic ceremonies, economic development and sense gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • The four stages of advancement of human civilization are religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and, for some, the stage of liberation.
  • Nārada Muni did not inquire from the King about his liberation, but only regarding the state management, which is meant for advancement of the three principles religiosity, economic development and sense gratification.
  • Liberation is meant for persons who have lost all interest in religious ritualistic ceremonies, economic development and sense gratification.

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

Rejection → Transformed aspiration. A child's wounded pride is purified by divine encounter.

Chapters 8–12 of Canto 4: Dhruva seeks and encounters the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Dhruva Mahārāja Leaves Home for the Forest

Dhruva leaves home, receives Nārada’s instructions, and worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead with austerity.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāradaḥ uvācathe great sage Nārada Muni said
  2. rājanmy dear King
  3. kimwhat
  4. dhyāyasethinking of
  5. dīrghamvery deeply
  6. mukhenawith your face
  7. pariśuṣyatāas if drying up
  8. kim vāwhether
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “king”, “king’s”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “inquired”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.8

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much of my worry revolves around prosperity and enjoyment?

Practice

Write down one current worry and consider whether it concerns economic development or sense gratification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Limits of Material GoalsThis 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 4.8.64? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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