1018
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 4, Ch. 23]
śry-aiśvarya-prajepsavaḥ. Śrī means beauty, aiśvarya means riches, prajā means children and īpsavaḥ means desiring. As described in the Second Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one has to worship various demigods for different types of benedictions. However, here it is indicated that simply by hearing of the life and character of Mahārāja Pṛthu, one can have both riches and children in enormous quantities. One simply has to read and understand the history, the life and activities of Pṛthu Mahārāja. It is advised that one read them at least three times. Those who are materially afflicted will so benefit by hearing of the Supreme Lord and His devotees that they need not go to any demigod. The word  su-prajatamaḥ  (surrounded by many children) is very significant in this verse, for one may have many children but may not have any qualified children. Here, however, it is stated ( su-prajatamaḥ ) that all the children thus attained would be qualified in education, wealth, beauty and strength—everything complete.
TEXT 34
अस्पष्टकीर्तिः सुयश्चा मूर्खो भवति पण्डितः । इदं स्वस्त्ययनं पुंसामयक्रत्यविवारणम् ॥३४॥
aspaṣṭa-kīrtiḥ su-yaśā mūrkho bhavati paṇḍitaḥ idam svasty-ayanam pumsām amangalya-nivāraṇam
aspaṣṭa-kīrtiḥ—unmanifested reputation; su-yaśāḥ—very famous; mūrkhaḥ—illiterate; bhavati—becomes; paṇḍitaḥ—learned; idam—this; svasti-ayanam—auspiciousness; pumsām—of the men; amangalya—inauspiciousness; nivāraṇam—prohibiting.
TRANSLATION
Also, one who hears this narration three times will become very reputable if he is not recognized in society, and he will become a great scholar if he is illiterate. In other words, hearing of the narrations of Pṛthu Mahārāja is so auspicious that it drives away all bad luck.
PURPORT
In the material world, everyone wants some profit, some adoration and some reputation. By associating in different ways with the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotee, one can very easily become opulent in