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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
4.14.26-274.14.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.28

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Venasince 4.14.28inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्मान्मां कर्मभिर्विप्रा यजध्वं गतमत्सरा: ।

बलिं च मह्यं हरत मत्तोऽन्य: कोऽग्रभुक्पुमान् ॥ २८ ॥

tasmān māṁ karmabhir viprā

yajadhvaṁ gata-matsarāḥ

baliṁ ca mahyaṁ harata

matto ’nyaḥ ko ’gra-bhuk pumān

Translation

King Vena continued: For this reason, O brāhmaṇas, you should abandon your envy of me, and by your ritualistic activities you should worship me and offer me all paraphernalia. If you are intelligent, you should know that there is no personality superior to me who can accept the first oblations of all sacrifices.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Alone Holds the Supreme Position

  1. 1

    Vena demanded worship and all paraphernalia from the brāhmaṇas. He claimed that no one superior to him could accept the first sacrificial offerings.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa states throughout Bhagavad-gītā that there is no truth superior to Him. Vena was imitating the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Presenting oneself as the Supreme Lord out of false pride is a characteristic of a demonic person. Vena's demand must not be confused with Kṛṣṇa's supreme position.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated by Kṛṣṇa Himself throughout Bhagavad-gītā, there is no truth superior to Him.
  • King Vena was imitating the Supreme Personality of Godhead and was also speaking out of false pride, presenting himself as the Supreme Lord.
  • These are all characteristics of a demonic person.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmātfor this reason
  2. māmme
  3. karmabhiḥby ritualistic activities
  4. viprāḥO brāhmaṇas
  5. yajadhvamworship
  6. gatawithout
  7. matsarāḥbeing envious
  8. balimparaphernalia for worship
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “pride”

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 does recognizing Kṛṣṇa's supreme position change your desire to receive honor?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, acknowledging Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and yourself as His servant.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Alone Holds the Supreme PositionThis 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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