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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 15: King Pṛthu’s Appearance and Coronation
4.15.194.15.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.15.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sagesince 4.15.14inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सिन्धव: पर्वता नद्यो रथवीथीर्महात्मन: ।

सूतोऽथ मागधो वन्दी तं स्तोतुमुपतस्थिरे ॥ २० ॥

sindhavaḥ parvatā nadyo

ratha-vīthīr mahātmanaḥ

sūto ’tha māgadho vandī

taṁ stotum upatasthire

Translation

The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room to drive his chariot without impediments, and a sūta, a māgadha and a vandī offered prayers and praises. They all presented themselves before him to perform their respective duties.

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.

Each Comes to Perform Their Duty

  1. 1

    The seas, mountains and rivers made room for Pṛthu’s chariot to travel without impediments.

  2. 2

    A sūta, a māgadha and a vandī offered prayers and praises to the King.

  3. 3

    They all presented themselves before Pṛthu to perform their respective duties.

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 15: King Pṛthu’s Appearance and Coronation

Pṛthu and Arci appear from Vena’s arms; Pṛthu receives royal gifts and humbly questions premature praise.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sindhavaḥthe seas
  2. parvatāḥthe mountains
  3. nadyaḥthe rivers
  4. ratha-vīthīḥthe paths for the chariot to pass
  5. mahā-ātmanaḥof the great soul
  6. sūtaḥa professional who offers praises
  7. athathen
  8. māgadhaḥa professional bard
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.15

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.15

    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

What duty can I attend to today with greater readiness?

Practice

Complete one small duty today without waiting to be reminded.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEach Comes to Perform Their DutyThis 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 4.15.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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