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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
4.14.204.14.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.21

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

तं सर्वलोकामरयज्ञसङ्ग्रहं

त्रयीमयं द्रव्यमयं तपोमयम् ।

यज्ञैर्विचित्रैर्यजतो भवाय ते

राजन् स्वदेशाननुरोद्धुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥

taṁ sarva-lokāmara-yajña-saṅgrahaṁ

trayīmayaṁ dravyamayaṁ tapomayam

yajñair vicitrair yajato bhavāya te

rājan sva-deśān anuroddhum arhasi

Translation

Dear King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with the predominating deities, is the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices in all planets. The Supreme Lord is the sum total of the three Vedas, the owner of everything, and the ultimate goal of all austerity. Therefore your countrymen should engage in performing various sacrifices for your elevation. Indeed, you should always direct them towards the offering of sacrifices.

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.

Direct Sacrifice Toward the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with the predominating deities, enjoys the results of all sacrifices in all planets.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord is the sum total of the three Vedas, the owner of everything, and the ultimate goal of all austerity.

  3. 3

    The king should direct his countrymen toward offering sacrifices. Their worship is also meant for his elevation.

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. tamHim
  2. sarva-lokain all planets
  3. amarawith the predominating deities
  4. yajñasacrifices
  5. saṅgrahamwho accepts
  6. trayī-mayamthe sum total of the three Vedas
  7. dravya-mayamthe owner of all paraphernalia
  8. tapaḥ-mayamthe goal of all austerity
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “worship”

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 can remembering that everything belongs to the Supreme Lord shape your worship?

Practice

Before worship today, pause and remember that whatever you offer already belongs to the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDirect Sacrifice Toward the Supreme LordThis 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 4.14.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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