1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 4 · Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.214.13.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.22

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 4.13.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

किं वांहो वेन उद्दिश्य ब्रह्मदण्डमयूयुजन् ।

दण्डव्रतधरे राज्ञि मुनयो धर्मकोविदा: ॥ २२ ॥

kiṁ vāṁho vena uddiśya

brahma-daṇḍam ayūyujan

daṇḍa-vrata-dhare rājñi

munayo dharma-kovidāḥ

Translation

Vidura also inquired: How is it that the great sages, who were completely conversant with religious principles, desired to curse King Vena, who himself carried the rod of punishment, and thus awarded him the greatest punishment [brahma-śāpa]?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Kings Answer to Religious Authority

  1. 1

    Vidura asked why sages fully conversant with religious principles had cursed the king, who himself carried the rod of punishment.

  2. 2

    The purport reasons that Vena must have done something very serious. Otherwise, such tolerant sages would not have punished him.

  3. 3

    The king was not independent of brahminical culture. The brāhmaṇas could dethrone him or, through the mantra of a brahma-śāpa, cause his death without a weapon.

Key points from the purport
  • It is understood that the king is able to give punishment to everyone, but in this case it appears that the great sages punished him.
  • The king must have done something very serious; otherwise how could the great sages, who were supposed to be the greatest and most tolerant, still punish him in spite of their elevated religious consciousness?
  • Above the king was the control of the brāhmaṇas, and if needed the brāhmaṇas would dethrone the king or kill him, not with any weapon, but with the mantra of a brahma-śāpa.

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

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. kimwhy
  2. vāalso
  3. aṁhaḥsinful activities
  4. veneunto Vena
  5. uddiśyaseeing
  6. brahma-daṇḍamthe curse of a brāhmaṇa
  7. ayūyujanthey desired to award
  8. daṇḍa-vrata-dharewho carries the rod of punishment
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 4.13

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “inquired”

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

What does the king’s accountability teach me about the limits of personal authority?

Practice

Before making one decision that affects others today, pause to consider whether it accords with religious principles.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Kings Answer to Religious AuthorityThis 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 4.13.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories