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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 16: Praise of King Pṛthu by the Professional Reciters
4.15.264.16.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.16.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इति ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं गायका मुनिचोदिता: ।

तुष्टुवुस्तुष्टमनसस्तद्वागमृतसेवया ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

iti bruvāṇaṁ nṛpatiṁ

gāyakā muni-coditāḥ

tuṣṭuvus tuṣṭa-manasas

tad-vāg-amṛta-sevayā

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: While King Pṛthu thus spoke, the humility of his nectarean speeches pleased the reciters very much. Then again they continued to praise the King highly with exalted prayers, as they had been instructed by the great sages.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn Through Authority and Humility

  1. 1

    The reciters recognized King Pṛthu as an incarnation of God through the instructions of great sages. We cannot manufacture a God by our own imagination.

  2. 2

    Spiritual matters should be tested by sādhu, śāstra and guru—saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master. Their authorized instructions do not differ from one another.

  3. 3

    Although an incarnation of God, Pṛthu was gentle and humble in his dealings with devotees. His behavior pleased the reciters and teaches us humility.

Key points from the purport
  • Reciters like the sūta and the māgadha were confidentially aware that King Pṛthu was an incarnation of the Personality of Godhead.
  • Rather, they were very pleased with the King, who, although actually an incarnation of God, was so humble and delightful in his dealings with devotees.
  • The King’s behavior was very pleasing to the reciters, and consequently the reciters continued their praise and even foretold the King’s future activities, as they had been instructed by the sādhus and sages.

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 16: Praise of King Pṛthu by the Professional Reciters

Reciters describe Pṛthu’s future protection of citizens, service to devotees, and meeting with Sanat-kumāra.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. bruvāṇamspeaking
  4. nṛpatimthe King
  5. gāyakāḥthe reciters
  6. muniby the sages
  7. coditāḥhaving been instructed
  8. tuṣṭuvuḥpraised, satisfied
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “humility”, “humble”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “reciters”

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 can Pṛthu’s humility guide the way I receive praise?

Practice

In one conversation today, make a deliberate effort to speak gently and humbly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn Through Authority and HumilityThis 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 4.16.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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