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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
4.16.104.16.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The reciterssince 4.16.10inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दुरासदो दुर्विषह आसन्नोऽपि विदूरवत् । नैवाभिभवितुं शक्यो वेनारण्युत्थितोऽनल: ॥ ११ ॥

durāsado durviṣaha

āsanno ’pi vidūravat

naivābhibhavituṁ śakyo

venāraṇy-utthito ’nalaḥ

Translation

King Pṛthu was born of the dead body of King Vena as fire is produced from araṇi wood. Thus King Pṛthu will always remain just like fire, and his enemies will not be able to approach him. Indeed, he will be unbearable to his enemies, for although staying very near him, they will never be able to approach him but will have to remain as if far away. No one will be able to overcome the strength of King Pṛthu.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pṛthu’s Strength Is Like Fire

  1. 1

    Araṇi wood is used to ignite fire by friction when sacrifices are performed.

  2. 2

    Although King Pṛthu was born of his dead father, King Vena, he would remain powerful like fire.

  3. 3

    Just as fire is not easily approached, Pṛthu would be unapproachable by his enemies. Even those nearby would be unable to overcome him.

Key points from the purport
  • Araṇi wood is a kind of fuel used to ignite fire by friction.
  • Although born of his dead father, King Pṛthu would still remain just like fire.
  • Just as fire is not easily approached, King Pṛthu would be unapproachable by his enemies, even though they would appear to be very near him.

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. durāsadaḥunapproachable
  2. durviṣahaḥunbearable
  3. āsannaḥbeing approached
  4. apialthough
  5. vidūra-vatas if far away
  6. nanever
  7. evacertainly
  8. abhibhavitumto be overcome
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “father”

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 does the comparison with fire help me understand Pṛthu’s strength?

Practice

Read the fire comparison again and write one sentence explaining what it teaches about Pṛthu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPṛthu’s Strength Is Like FireThis 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 4.16.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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