FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.23.35

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं कलिमलापहम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां सम्यक्सिद्धिमभीप्सुभि: । श्रद्धयैतदनुश्राव्यं चतुर्णां कारणं परम् ॥ ३५ ॥
dhanyaṁ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṁ
[dhanyam yashasyam aayushyam]
svargyaṁ kali-malāpaham
[svargyam kali-malaapaham]
dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ
[dharmaartha-kaama-mokshaanaam]
samyak siddhim abhīpsubhiḥ
[samyak siddhim abheepsubhih]
śraddhayaitad anuśrāvyaṁ
[shraddhayaitad anushraavyam]
caturṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ param
[chaturnaam kaaranam param]
dhanyam — the source of riches yaśasyam — the source of reputation āyuṣyam — the source of an increased span of life svargyam — the source of elevation to the heavenly planets kali — of the Age of Kali mala-apaham — decreasing the contamination dharma — religion artha — economic development kāma — sense gratification mokṣāṇām — of liberation samyak — completely siddhim — perfection abhīpsubhiḥ — by those desiring śraddhayā — with great respect etat — this narration anuśrāvyam — must one hear caturṇām — of the four kāraṇam — cause param — ultimate.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dhanyaṁ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṁ
dhanyam
the source of riches
yaśasyam
the source of reputation
āyuṣyam
the source of an increased span of life
svargyaṁ kali-malāpaham
svargyam
the source of elevation to the heavenly planets
kali
of the Age of Kali
mala-apaham
decreasing the contamination
dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ
dharma
religion
artha
economic development
kāma
sense gratification
mokṣāṇām
of liberation
samyak siddhim abhīpsubhiḥ
samyak
completely
siddhim
perfection
abhīpsubhiḥ
by those desiring
śraddhayaitad anuśrāvyaṁ
śraddhayā
with great respect
etat
this narration
anuśrāvyam
must one hear
caturṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ param
caturṇām
of the four
kāraṇam
cause
param
ultimate.
By hearing the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja, one can become great, increase his duration of life, gain promotion to the heavenly planets and counteract the contaminations of this Age of Kali. In addition, one can promote the causes of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. Therefore from all sides it is advisable for a materialistic person who is interested in such things to read and hear the narrations of the life and character of Pṛthu Mahārāja.

By reading and hearing the narrations of the life and character of Pṛthu Mahārāja, one naturally becomes a devotee, and as soon as one becomes a devotee, his material desires automatically become fulfilled. Therefore it is recommended in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.3.10) :

akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā mokṣa-kāma udāra-dhīḥ tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena yajeta puruṣaṁ param

If a person wants to return home, back to Godhead, or wants to become a pure devotee ( akāma ), or wants some material prosperity ( sakāma or sarva-kāma ), or wants to merge into the existence of the Supreme Brahman effulgence ( mokṣa-kāma ), he is recommended to take to the path of devotional service and hear and chant of Lord Viṣṇu or of His devotee. This is the sum and substance of all Vedic literatures. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ ( Bg. 15.15 ): the purpose of Vedic knowledge is to understand Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. Whenever we speak of Kṛṣṇa, we refer to His devotees also, for He is not alone. He is never nirviśeṣa or śūnya — without variety, or zero. Kṛṣṇa is full of variety, and as soon as Kṛṣṇa is present, there cannot be any question of void.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Those desiring perfection of wealth, fame, long life, Svarga, destruction of Kali-yuga’s influence, dharma, artha, kāma or mokṣa should hear with faith this story, which is the cause of the four benedictions.
Related verses
Hearing brings greatness, long life, heavenly promotion, counter-Kali contamination, fruits in all four puruṣārthas. One narration, many returns; spiritually efficient as well as effective.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I running multiple expensive paths when one well-chosen narration could deliver across categories?
  • Which sacred narration would be highest-yield for my coming season?
📝 My note

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