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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
4.14.74.14.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.8

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

अहो उभयत: प्राप्तं लोकस्य व्यसनं महत् ।

दारुण्युभयतो दीप्ते इव तस्करपालयो: ॥ ८ ॥

aho ubhayataḥ prāptaṁ

lokasya vyasanaṁ mahat

dāruṇy ubhayato dīpte

iva taskara-pālayoḥ

Translation

When the great sages consulted one another, they saw that the people were in a dangerous position from both directions. When a fire blazes on both ends of a log, the ants in the middle are in a very dangerous situation. Similarly, at that time the people in general were in a dangerous position due to an irresponsible king on one side and thieves and rogues on the other.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

People Caught Between Two Dangers

  1. 1

    The sages saw that the people faced danger from two directions.

  2. 2

    An irresponsible king threatened them on one side, while thieves and rogues threatened them on the other.

  3. 3

    Their situation was like that of ants in the middle of a log burning at both ends. The image shows how vulnerable the people had become.

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. ahoalas
  2. ubhayataḥfrom both directions
  3. prāptamreceived
  4. lokasyaof the people in general
  5. vyasanamdanger
  6. mahatgreat
  7. dāruṇia log
  8. ubhayataḥfrom both sides
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dangerous”, “danger”

  • 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

Do I notice when someone faces pressures from more than one direction?

Practice

Ask someone facing difficulty what other pressures they are dealing with before offering advice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPeople Caught Between Two DangersThis 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 4.14.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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