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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
4.14.374.14.39-40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.38

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

एवं मृशन्त ऋषयो धावतां सर्वतोदिशम् ।

पांसु: समुत्थितो भूरिश्चोराणामभिलुम्पताम् ॥ ३८ ॥

evaṁ mṛśanta ṛṣayo

dhāvatāṁ sarvato-diśam

pāṁsuḥ samutthito bhūriś

corāṇām abhilumpatām

Translation

When the great sages were carrying on their discussion in this way, they saw a dust storm arising from all directions. This storm was caused by the running of thieves and rogues, who were engaged in plundering the citizens.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strong Government Protects Citizens From Plunder

  1. 1

    As the sages discussed the situation, they saw a dust storm rising from all directions.

  2. 2

    The dust came from thieves and rogues running about and plundering the citizens.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that thieves exploit political disturbances. Strong government is required to restrain their activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Thieves and rogues simply await some political upset in order to take the opportunity to plunder the people in general.
  • To keep thieves and rogues inactive in their profession, a strong government is always required.

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. evamthus
  2. mṛśantaḥwhile considering
  3. ṛṣayaḥthe great saintly persons
  4. dhāvatāmrunning
  5. sarvataḥ-diśamfrom all directions
  6. pāṁsuḥdust
  7. samutthitaḥarose
  8. bhūriḥmuch
  9. corāṇāmfrom thieves and rogues
  10. abhilumpatāmengaged in plundering
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “citizens”, “government”

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 this verse help me appreciate the importance of protection for ordinary people?

Practice

Write down one way effective government protects people’s lives or possessions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrong Government Protects Citizens From PlunderThis 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 4.14.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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