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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja
4.13.394.13.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.40

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

स शरासनमुद्यम्य मृगयुर्वनगोचर: ।

हन्त्यसाधुर्मृगान् दीनान् वेनोऽसावित्यरौज्जन: ॥ ४० ॥

sa śarāsanam udyamya

mṛgayur vana-gocaraḥ

hanty asādhur mṛgān dīnān

veno ’sāv ity arauj janaḥ

Translation

After fixing his bow and arrow, the cruel boy used to go to the forest and unnecessarily kill innocent deer, and as soon as he came all the people would cry, “Here comes cruel Vena! Here comes cruel Vena!”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unnecessary Killing Spreads Fear

  1. 1

    The purport explains that kṣatriyas were permitted to hunt to learn the killing art needed for their duties. This permission was not for eating animals or killing them for other purposes.

  2. 2

    Vena went into the forest with bow and arrow and unnecessarily killed innocent deer. His conduct was cruel, not a proper use of that permission.

  3. 3

    The neighboring inhabitants were frightened by his presence and cried out when he came. From the beginning of his life, he caused fear among the citizens.

Key points from the purport
  • Kṣatriyas are allowed to hunt in the forest for the purpose of learning the killing art, not to kill animals for eating or for any other purpose.
  • Because this son of King Aṅga, Vena, was born of a bad mother, he was very cruel, and he used to go to the forest and unnecessarily kill the animals.
  • All the neighboring inhabitants would be frightened by his presence, and they would call, “Here comes Vena!

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. saḥthat boy of the name Vena
  2. śarāsanamhis bow
  3. udyamyataking up
  4. mṛgayuḥthe hunter
  5. vana-gocaraḥgoing into the forest
  6. hantiused to kill
  7. asādhuḥbeing very cruel
  8. mṛgāndeer
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “citizens”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “fear”

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

Does my use of strength make others feel protected or afraid?

Practice

Avoid disturbing or harming an animal you encounter today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnnecessary Killing Spreads FearThis 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 4.13.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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