1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.14.64.14.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.7

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.14.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

वेनस्यावेक्ष्य मुनयो दुर्वृत्तस्य विचेष्टितम् ।

विमृश्य लोकव्यसनं कृपयोचु: स्म सत्रिण: ॥ ७ ॥

venasyāvekṣya munayo

durvṛttasya viceṣṭitam

vimṛśya loka-vyasanaṁ

kṛpayocuḥ sma satriṇaḥ

Translation

Therefore all the great sages assembled together and, after observing cruel Vena’s atrocities, concluded that a great danger and catastrophe was approaching the people of the world. Thus out of compassion they began to talk amongst themselves, for they themselves were the performers of the sacrifices.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotees Care For Everyone’s Welfare

  1. 1

    Seeing Vena’s cruel and irresponsible conduct, the sages recognized a great danger to the people. Compassion moved them to consult one another.

  2. 2

    Actual devotees and saintly persons are not indifferent to society’s welfare. They want people to be happy both materially and spiritually.

  3. 3

    The purport contrasts this concern with seeking money for sense gratification or remaining socially aloof while considering liberation. The sages worked together to find a way out of the danger.

Key points from the purport
  • Before King Vena was enthroned, all the great sages were very much anxious to see to the welfare of society.
  • When they saw that King Vena was most irresponsible, cruel and atrocious, they again began to think of the welfare of the people.
  • Therefore the great sages began to consult one another on how to get out of the dangerous atmosphere created by King Vena.

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. venasyaof King Vena
  2. āvekṣyaafter observing
  3. munayaḥall the great sages
  4. durvṛttasyaof the great rogue
  5. viceṣṭitamactivities
  6. vimṛśyaconsidering
  7. loka-vyasanamdanger to the people in general
  8. kṛpayāout of compassion
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “compassion”, “welfare”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “materially”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.14

    In this verse: “danger”

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

Does my spiritual practice deepen my concern for other people’s welfare?

Practice

Ask someone how they are doing today, and listen for both practical and spiritual concerns.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotees Care For Everyone’s WelfareThis 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 4.14.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories