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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 14: The Story of King Vena
4.14.164.14.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly personssince 4.14.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

राजन्नसाध्वमात्येभ्यश्चोरादिभ्य: प्रजा नृप: ।

रक्षन्यथा बलिं गृह्णन्निह प्रेत्य च मोदते ॥ १७ ॥

rājann asādhv-amātyebhyaś

corādibhyaḥ prajā nṛpaḥ

rakṣan yathā baliṁ gṛhṇann

iha pretya ca modate

Translation

The saintly persons continued: When the king protects the citizens from the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as from thieves and rogues, he can, by virtue of such pious activities, accept taxes given by his subjects. Thus a pious king can certainly enjoy himself in this world as well as in the life after death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protection Must Come Before Taxation

  1. 1

    A pious king’s foremost duty is to protect citizens from thieves and rogues. This includes dishonest ministers who exploit innocent people.

  2. 2

    A government has the right to collect taxes only when it gives citizens protection. Taxes are not meant simply for a ruler’s sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Strict vigilance against dishonesty allows citizens to live happily. A king who protects them can enjoy peace in this life and attain heavenly happiness or the Vaikuṇṭhas afterward.

Key points from the purport
  • Consequently, if the king was not very pious or strict, the ministers would become thieves and rogues and exploit the innocent citizens.
  • In other words, the king or the government that taxes can levy taxes from the citizens only if the king or government is able to give protection to the citizens from thieves and rogues.
  • As it was the duty of the king to kill thieves and rogues, it was similarly his duty to immediately kill dishonest ministers in government service.

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. rājanO King
  2. asādhumischievous
  3. amātyebhyaḥfrom ministers
  4. cora-ādibhyaḥfrom thieves and rogues
  5. prajāḥthe citizens
  6. nṛpaḥthe king
  7. rakṣanprotecting
  8. yathāaccordingly as
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”, “king’s”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protects”, “protect”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “death”

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 I receive support from others, do I faithfully fulfill my responsibilities toward them?

Practice

Review one responsibility entrusted to you and complete one neglected duty that protects another person’s interests.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 1 lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayProtection Must Come Before TaxationThis 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 4.14.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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