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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
4.14.364.14.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.37

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

वीक्ष्योत्थितांस्तदोत्पातानाहुर्लोकभयङ्करान् ।

अप्यभद्रमनाथाया दस्युभ्यो न भवेद्भुव: ॥ ३७ ॥

vīkṣyotthitāṁs tadotpātān

āhur loka-bhayaṅkarān

apy abhadram anāthāyā

dasyubhyo na bhaved bhuvaḥ

Translation

In those days there were various disturbances in the country that were creating a panic in society. Therefore all the sages began to talk amongst themselves: Since the King is dead and there is no protector in the world, misfortune may befall the people in general on account of rogues and thieves.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Compassion and Chanting Amid Disturbance

  1. 1

    Without a protector, thieves and rogues endangered the citizens’ lives and property. The sages became anxious for the people’s safety.

  2. 2

    Although saintly persons remain aloof from political affairs, they compassionately consider how people can peacefully perform their religious duties.

  3. 3

    In the disturbed Age of Kali, the purport recommends devoted chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra for both spiritual and material prosperity.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the saintly persons became very anxious for the safety of the people in general.
  • The conclusion is that even though saintly persons have no business in political affairs, they are always compassionate upon the people in general.
  • Therefore saintly persons should take to the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, as recommended in the śāstras:

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. vīkṣyahaving seen
  2. utthitāndeveloped
  3. tadāthen
  4. utpātāndisturbances
  5. āhuḥthey began to say
  6. lokain society
  7. bhayam-karāncausing panic
  8. apiwhether
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’”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protector”, “safety”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

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 concern for others accompany my spiritual practice?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra devotedly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion and Chanting Amid DisturbanceThis 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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