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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 14: The Story of King Vena
4.14.104.14.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 4.14.10inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

निरूपित: प्रजापाल: स जिघांसति वै प्रजा: ।

तथापि सान्‍त्वयेमामुं नास्मांस्तत्पातकं स्पृशेत् ॥ ११ ॥

nirūpitaḥ prajā-pālaḥ

sa jighāṁsati vai prajāḥ

tathāpi sāntvayemāmuṁ

nāsmāṁs tat-pātakaṁ spṛśet

Translation

We appointed this Vena king of the state in order to give protection to the citizens, but now he has become the enemy of the citizens. Despite all these discrepancies, we should at once try to pacify him. By doing so, we may not be touched by the sinful results caused by him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Responsibility and Try to Correct

  1. 1

    The sages appointed Vena to protect the citizens, but he became their enemy. They feared sharing the sinful reactions of his activities.

  2. 2

    The law of karma warns against association with a mischievous person. By placing Vena on the throne, the sages had associated with him.

  3. 3

    Before taking action against Vena, the sages tried to pacify and correct him. They wanted him to turn away from his mischief.

Key points from the purport
  • The saintly sages elected King Vena to become king, but he proved to be mischievous; therefore the sages were very much afraid of incurring sinful reaction.
  • Ultimately King Vena became so mischievous that the saintly sages actually became afraid of becoming contaminated by his activities.
  • Thus before taking any action against him, the sages tried to pacify and correct him so that he might turn from his mischief.

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 14: The Story of King Vena

Vena rejects the sages’ advice; after his death, they seek to preserve King Aṅga’s family.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirūpitaḥappointed
  2. prajā-pālaḥthe king
  3. saḥhe
  4. jighāṁsatidesires to harm
  5. vaicertainly
  6. prajāḥthe citizens
  7. tathā apinevertheless
  8. sāntvayemawe should pacify
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “protection”, “protect”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.14

    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

When a choice of mine contributes to harm, am I willing to help correct it?

Practice

Identify one harmful choice you have supported and take one peaceful step toward correcting it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Responsibility and Try to CorrectThis 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.

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