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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
4.13.444.13.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.13.45

Mukti· Liberation
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

कस्तं प्रजापदेशं वै मोहबन्धनमात्मन: ।

पण्डितो बहु मन्येत यदर्था: क्लेशदा गृहा: ॥ ४५ ॥

kas taṁ prajāpadeśaṁ vai

moha-bandhanam ātmanaḥ

paṇḍito bahu manyeta

yad-arthāḥ kleśadā gṛhāḥ

Translation

Who, if he is considerate and intelligent, would desire such a worthless son? Such a son is nothing but a bond of illusion for the living entity, and he makes one’s home miserable.

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.

Recognizing the Bond of Illusion

  1. 1

    The verse asks whether a considerate and intelligent person would desire such a son.

  2. 2

    Such a son is described as a bond of illusion for the living entity.

  3. 3

    Rather than bringing happiness, such a son makes the home miserable.

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. kaḥwho
  2. tamhim
  3. prajā-apadeśamson in name only
  4. vaicertainly
  5. mohaof illusion
  6. bandhanambondage
  7. ātmanaḥfor the soul
  8. paṇḍitaḥintelligent man
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.13

    In this verse: “illusion”

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

Can I recognize harmful conduct without letting attachment make me excuse it?

Practice

Take a quiet minute to identify one harmful behavior you overlook because of attachment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognizing the Bond of IllusionThis 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 4.13.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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