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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
4.13.294.13.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Aṅgasince 4.13.30inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नागच्छन्त्याहुता देवा न गृह्णन्ति ग्रहानिह ।

सदसस्पतयो ब्रूत किमवद्यं मया कृतम् ॥ ३० ॥

nāgacchanty āhutā devā

na gṛhṇanti grahān iha

sadasas-patayo brūta

kim avadyaṁ mayā kṛtam

Translation

King Aṅga addressed the priestly order: My dear priests, kindly tell me what offense I have committed. Although invited, the demigods are neither taking part in the sacrifice nor accepting their shares.

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.

Be Willing to Examine Your Conduct

  1. 1

    King Aṅga respectfully asked the priests what offense he had committed.

  2. 2

    The demigods had been invited, yet they neither attended nor accepted their shares.

  3. 3

    The king's inquiry focused on whether there was a fault in his own conduct.

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. nanot
  2. āgacchantiare coming
  3. āhutāḥbeing invited
  4. devāḥthe demigods
  5. nanot
  6. gṛhṇantiare accepting
  7. grahānshares
  8. ihain the sacrifice
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “offense”

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

Am I willing to ask whether my own conduct needs correction?

Practice

Reflect on one recent difficulty and identify whether there is a mistake of your own to correct.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBe Willing to Examine Your ConductThis 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 4.13.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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