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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
4.13.404.13.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.41

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

आक्रीडे क्रीडतो बालान् वयस्यानतिदारुण: ।

प्रसह्य निरनुक्रोश: पशुमारममारयत् ॥ ४१ ॥

ākrīḍe krīḍato bālān

vayasyān atidāruṇaḥ

prasahya niranukrośaḥ

paśu-māram amārayat

Translation

The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them very mercilessly, as if they were animals meant for slaughter.

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.

Cruelty Destroys the Safety of Play

  1. 1

    The boy’s cruelty extended to the children who played with him.

  2. 2

    He mercilessly killed young boys of his own age during play.

  3. 3

    The translation compares his treatment of them to slaughtering animals, showing the severity of his lack of mercy.

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. ākrīḍein the playground
  2. krīḍataḥwhile playing
  3. bālānboys
  4. vayasyānof his age
  5. ati-dāruṇaḥvery cruel
  6. prasahyaby force
  7. niranukrośaḥmerciless
  8. paśu-māramas if slaughtering animals
  9. amārayatkilled
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “children”

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 careful am I to keep play and recreation free from harm?

Practice

During a game or shared activity today, make one deliberate choice that protects another person from hurt.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCruelty Destroys the Safety of PlayThis 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 4.13.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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