1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.14.124.14.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly sagessince 4.14.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एवमध्यवसायैनं मुनयो गूढमन्यव: ।

उपव्रज्याब्रुवन् वेनं सान्‍त्वयित्वा च सामभि: ॥ १३ ॥

evam adhyavasāyainaṁ

munayo gūḍha-manyavaḥ

upavrajyābruvan venaṁ

sāntvayitvā ca sāmabhiḥ

Translation

The great sages, having thus decided, approached King Vena. Concealing their real anger, they pacified him with sweet words and then spoke as follows.

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.

Speak Gently Even When Angry

  1. 1

    Having reached their decision, the great sages approached King Vena. They spoke to him directly.

  2. 2

    The sages concealed their real anger. They did not let that anger determine their outward manner.

  3. 3

    They first pacified Vena with sweet words. Their approach prepared the way for what they had to say.

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. evamthus
  2. adhyavasāyahaving decided
  3. enamhim
  4. munayaḥthe great sages
  5. gūḍha-manyavaḥconcealing their anger
  6. upavrajyahaving approached
  7. abruvanspoke
  8. venamto King Vena
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 might gentle words change a difficult conversation I need to have?

Practice

Before one difficult conversation today, pause and choose a gentle opening sentence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpeak Gently Even When AngryThis 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 4.14.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories