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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 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.174.13.19-20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.18

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.13.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सुनीथाङ्गस्य या पत्नी सुषुवे वेनमुल्बणम् ।

यद्दौ:शील्यात्स राजर्षिर्निर्विण्णो निरगात्पुरात् ॥ १८ ॥

sunīthāṅgasya yā patnī

suṣuve venam ulbaṇam

yad-dauḥśīlyāt sa rājarṣir

nirviṇṇo niragāt purāt

Translation

The wife of Aṅga, Sunīthā, gave birth to a son named Vena, who was very crooked. The saintly King Aṅga was very disappointed with Vena’s bad character, and he left home and kingdom and went out to the forest.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vena’s Bad Character Grieves Saintly Aṅga

  1. 1

    Aṅga’s wife, Sunīthā, gave birth to Vena, who was very crooked.

  2. 2

    Although King Aṅga was saintly, his son’s bad character caused him great disappointment.

  3. 3

    Aṅga left his home and kingdom and went to the forest.

How it feels

Anger and disorder → Duty and devotion. Kingship shifts from domination to stewardship and renunciation.

Chapters 13–23 of Canto 4: Vena and Pṛthu: power, the Earth and stewardship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja

Dhruva’s descendants are described, followed by an account of a sonless king and the cruel boy Vena.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sunīthāSunīthā
  2. aṅgasyaof Aṅga
  3. yāshe who
  4. patnīthe wife
  5. suṣuvegave birth to
  6. venamVena
  7. ulbaṇamvery crooked
  8. yatwhose
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

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

How might my conduct bring either peace or disappointment to those close to me?

Practice

Notice one action today that could distress someone at home, and choose a considerate response instead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVena’s Bad Character Grieves Saintly AṅgaThis 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 4.13.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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