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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
4.13.224.13.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.23

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

नावध्येय: प्रजापाल: प्रजाभिरघवानपि ।

यदसौ लोकपालानां बिभर्त्योज: स्वतेजसा ॥ २३ ॥

nāvadhyeyaḥ prajā-pālaḥ

prajābhir aghavān api

yad asau loka-pālānāṁ

bibharty ojaḥ sva-tejasā

Translation

It is the duty of all citizens in a state never to insult the king, even though he sometimes appears to have done something very sinful. Because of his prowess, the king is always more influential than all other ruling chiefs.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect the King’s Representative Position

  1. 1

    In Vedic civilization, the king is supposed to represent the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is called nara-nārāyaṇa, indicating Nārāyaṇa’s representation in human society as king.

  2. 2

    The etiquette described here is that citizens should never insult a brāhmaṇa or a kṣatriya king. This applies even when the king appears sinful.

  3. 3

    Vena was cursed by the nara-devatās. The purport therefore concludes that his sinful activities were very grievous.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Vedic civilization the king is supposed to be the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • It is etiquette that neither a brāhmaṇa nor a kṣatriya king is ever insulted by the citizens; even though a king appears to be sinful, the citizens should not insult him.
  • But in the case of Vena it appears that he was cursed by the nara-devatās; therefore, it was concluded that his sinful activities were very grievous.

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. nanever
  2. avadhyeyaḥto be insulted
  3. prajā-pālaḥthe king
  4. prajābhiḥby the citizens
  5. aghavānever sinful
  6. apieven though
  7. yatbecause
  8. asauhe
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

Can I speak about a ruler’s apparent faults without resorting to insults?

Practice

If you discuss a ruler today, describe the concern plainly without insulting the person.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect the King’s Representative PositionThis 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.

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