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

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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
1.17.401.17.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.41

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.38inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अथैतानि न सेवेत बुभूषु: पुरुष: क्‍वचित् ।

विशेषतो धर्मशीलो राजा लोकपतिर्गुरु: ॥ ४१ ॥

athaitāni na seveta

bubhūṣuḥ puruṣaḥ kvacit

viśeṣato dharma-śīlo

rājā loka-patir guruḥ

Translation

Therefore, whoever desires progressive well-being, especially kings, religionists, public leaders, brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs, should never come in contact with the four above-mentioned irreligious principles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Test Leaders by Character

  1. 1

    Anyone seeking progressive well-being should avoid irreligious practices. This is especially important for spiritual teachers, rulers and public leaders.

  2. 2

    Truthfulness is the basic principle of all religions. A leader’s claims become hollow when conduct contradicts the responsibilities of the role.

  3. 3

    Spiritual and material leaders must be tested by character and qualification, not merely academic learning. Freedom from gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter is a primary requirement.

Key points from the purport
  • So also are the king and the public leaders who are responsible for the material welfare of all people.
  • The progressive religionists and those who are responsible human beings or those who do not want to spoil their valuable human lives should refrain from all the principles of irreligiosity, especially illicit connection with women.
  • The four leaders of the human society, namely the sannyāsīs, the brāhmaṇa, the king and the public leader, must be tested crucially by their character and qualification.

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

Moral alarm → Resolve. The king's duty is tested in a deteriorating age.

Chapters 16–17 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit confronts Kali. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali

Parīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athatherefore
  2. etāniall these
  3. nanever
  4. sevetacome in contact
  5. bubhūṣuḥthose who desire well-being
  6. puruṣaḥperson
  7. kvacitin any circumstances
  8. viśeṣataḥspecifically
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “religionists”, “principles”, “religions”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “kings”, “rulers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “material”

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 choosing whom to trust, do I examine character as carefully as knowledge or status?

Practice

Before accepting one piece of guidance today, consider whether the adviser’s conduct supports their words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTest Leaders by CharacterThis 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 1.17.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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