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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
4.14.314.14.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.32

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly sagessince 4.14.32inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नायमर्हत्यसद्‍वृत्तो नरदेववरासनम् ।

योऽधियज्ञपतिं विष्णुं विनिन्दत्यनपत्रप: ॥ ३२ ॥

nāyam arhaty asad-vṛtto

naradeva-varāsanam

yo ’dhiyajña-patiṁ viṣṇuṁ

vinindaty anapatrapaḥ

Translation

The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humility Does Not Mean Accepting Blasphemy

  1. 1

    The sages judged the King unfit for the throne because he shamelessly insulted Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    A devotee is generally humble, gentle, free from envy, and reluctant to quarrel.

  3. 3

    Yet a devotee should not silently tolerate insults against the Lord or His devotees. The purport describes a pure devotee’s anger when they are insulted.

Key points from the purport
  • One should not at any time tolerate blasphemy and insults against Lord Viṣṇu or His devotees.
  • However, a pure devotee immediately becomes fiery with anger when he sees that Lord Viṣṇu or His devotee is insulted.
  • Although a devotee maintains an attitude of meekness and gentleness, it is a great fault on his part if he remains silent when the Lord or His devotee is blasphemed.

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. nanever
  2. ayamthis man
  3. arhatideserves
  4. asat-vṛttaḥfull of impious activities
  5. nara-devaof the worldly king or worldly god
  6. vara-āsanamthe exalted throne
  7. yaḥhe who
  8. adhiyajña-patimthe master of all sacrifices
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “king”

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 I remain gentle while clearly expressing respect for the Lord and His devotees?

Practice

Practice one calm sentence you could use to object to an insult against the Lord or His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumility Does Not Mean Accepting BlasphemyThis 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 4.14.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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