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
4.13.304.13.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.31

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The head priestssince 4.13.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सदसस्पतय ऊचु:

नरदेवेह भवतो नाघं तावन् मनाक्स्थितम् ।

अस्त्येकं प्राक्तनमघं यदिहेद‍ृक् त्वमप्रज: ॥ ३१ ॥

sadasas-pataya ūcuḥ

nara-deveha bhavato

nāghaṁ tāvan manāk sthitam

asty ekaṁ prāktanam aghaṁ

yad ihedṛk tvam aprajaḥ

Translation

The head priests said: O King, in this life we do not find any sinful activity, even within your mind, so you are not in the least offensive. But we can see that in your previous life you performed sinful activities due to which, in spite of your having all qualifications, you have no son.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Past Actions Can Bear Present Results

  1. 1

    The priests found no sinful activity in King Aṅga's present life, even within his mind.

  2. 2

    They attributed his lack of a son, despite his qualifications, to sinful activities in his previous life.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that a son has the responsibility of delivering his father and forefathers from hellish conditions. It therefore places great importance on begetting a son in married life.

Key points from the purport
  • The purpose of marrying is to beget a son, because a son is necessary to deliver his father and forefathers from any hellish conditional life in which they may be.
  • King Aṅga was a very pious king in this life, but because of his previous sinful activity he could not get a son.
  • It is concluded, therefore, that if a person does not get a son it is due to his past sinful life.

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. sadasaḥ-patayaḥ ūcuḥthe head priests said
  2. nara-devaO King
  3. ihain this life
  4. bhavataḥof you
  5. nanot
  6. aghamsinful activity
  7. tāvat manākeven very slight
  8. sthitamsituated
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “king”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “father”

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 does this account encourage me to take responsibility for my actions?

Practice

Examine one choice today and deliberately avoid an action you know to be wrong.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPast Actions Can Bear Present ResultsThis 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 4.13.31? 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