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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
4.13.434.13.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.44

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

यत: पापीयसी कीर्तिरधर्मश्च महान्नृणाम् ।

यतो विरोध: सर्वेषां यत आधिरनन्तक: ॥ ४४ ॥

yataḥ pāpīyasī kīrtir

adharmaś ca mahān nṛṇām

yato virodhaḥ sarveṣāṁ

yata ādhir anantakaḥ

Translation

A sinful son causes a person’s reputation to vanish. His irreligious activities at home cause irreligion and quarrel among everyone, and this creates only endless anxiety.

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.

Irreligious Conduct Brings Quarrel and Anxiety

  1. 1

    A sinful son causes a person’s reputation to vanish. His conduct affects more than himself.

  2. 2

    His irreligious activities at home spread irreligion and quarrel among everyone.

  3. 3

    Such conduct creates endless anxiety rather than peace in the home.

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. yataḥon account of a bad son
  2. pāpīyasīsinful
  3. kīrtiḥreputation
  4. adharmaḥirreligion
  5. caalso
  6. mahāngreat
  7. nṛṇāmof men
  8. yataḥfrom which
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

  • 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

How do my actions affect the peace of those at home?

Practice

Today, avoid one word or action that would add to a quarrel at home.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIrreligious Conduct Brings Quarrel and AnxietyThis 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 4.13.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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