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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 14: The Story of King Vena
4.14.84.14.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.14.9

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

अराजकभयादेष कृतो राजातदर्हण: ।

ततोऽप्यासीद्भयं त्वद्य कथं स्यात्स्वस्ति देहिनाम् ॥ ९ ॥

arājaka-bhayād eṣa

kṛto rājātad-arhaṇaḥ

tato ’py āsīd bhayaṁ tv adya

kathaṁ syāt svasti dehinām

Translation

Thinking to save the state from irregularity, the sages began to consider that it was due to a political crisis that they made Vena king although he was not qualified. But alas, now the people were being disturbed by the king himself. Under such circumstances, how could the people be happy?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect The Conditions For Spiritual Progress

  1. 1

    The sages had appointed Vena during a political crisis despite his lack of qualification. Now the ruler himself disturbed the people and threatened their happiness.

  2. 2

    Sacrifice, charity and penance should not be abandoned, even in the renounced order. These practices elevate people to the spiritual platform.

  3. 3

    Saintly people teach Kṛṣṇa consciousness to save others from animalistic life. Good government should protect religious practice and restrain thieves so that people can advance peacefully in spiritual consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhagavad-gītā (18.5) it is stated that even in the renounced order one should not give up sacrifice, charity and penance.
  • Saintly people preach God consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, because they are anxious to save the general populace from the dangers of animalistic life.
  • When this is done, the people can advance peacefully in spiritual consciousness and make their lives successful.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.14.9 quotesBG 18.5

In Bhagavad-gītā (18.5) it is stated that even in the renounced order one should not give up sacrifice, charity and penance.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. arājakabeing without a king
  2. bhayātout of fear
  3. eṣaḥthis Vena
  4. kṛtaḥwas made
  5. rājāthe king
  6. a-tat-arhaṇaḥthough not qualified for it
  7. tataḥfrom him
  8. apialso
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”, “ruler”, “government”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “renounced”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”

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

What place do sacrifice, charity or penance have in my daily pursuit of spiritual progress?

Practice

Make one small charitable gift today with the intention of supporting spiritual progress.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect The Conditions For Spiritual ProgressThis 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 4.14.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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