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

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.91.17.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 1.17.10-11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

यस्य राष्ट्रे प्रजा: सर्वास्त्रस्यन्ते साध्व्यसाधुभि: ।

तस्य मत्तस्य नश्यन्ति कीर्तिरायुर्भगो गति: ॥ १० ॥

एष राज्ञां परो धर्मो ह्यार्तानामार्तिनिग्रह: ।

अत एनं वधिष्यामि भूतद्रुहमसत्तमम् ॥ ११ ॥

yasya rāṣṭre prajāḥ sarvās

trasyante sādhvy asādhubhiḥ

tasya mattasya naśyanti

kīrtir āyur bhago gatiḥ

eṣa rājñāṁ paro dharmo

hy ārtānām ārti-nigrahaḥ

ata enaṁ vadhiṣyāmi

bhūta-druham asattamam

Translation

O chaste one, the king’s good name, duration of life and good rebirth vanish when all kinds of living beings are terrified by miscreants in his kingdom. It is certainly the prime duty of the king to subdue first the sufferings of those who suffer. Therefore I must kill this most wretched man because he is violent against other living beings.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Live Under God's Law, Not Whim

  1. 1

    Prajā includes every living being born in the state, both human and animal. The ruler's prime duty is to relieve their suffering and protect their right to live.

  2. 2

    All living beings are sons of the Supreme Lord, and people should live by His directions rather than personal whim. Grains, fruits and milk provide human food without unnecessary animal killing.

  3. 3

    An irresponsible ruler jeopardizes his good name, duration of life and progress toward a better life and salvation. Human life is especially meant for knowing the science of God, not denying Him while remaining bound by His laws.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.