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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
4.16.114.16.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

अन्तर्बहिश्च भूतानां पश्यन् कर्माणि चारणै: । उदासीन इवाध्यक्षो वायुरात्मेव देहिनाम् ॥ १२ ॥

antar bahiś ca bhūtānāṁ

paśyan karmāṇi cāraṇaiḥ

udāsīna ivādhyakṣo

vāyur ātmeva dehinām

Translation

King Pṛthu will be able to see all the internal and external activities of every one of his citizens. Still, no one will be able to know his system of espionage, and he himself will remain neutral regarding all matters of glorification or vilification paid to him. He will be exactly like air, the life force within the body, which is exhibited internally and externally but is always neutral to all affairs.

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.

Remain Neutral Amid Praise and Blame

  1. 1

    King Pṛthu would know the internal and external activities of his citizens.

  2. 2

    His system of espionage would remain unknown to others, while he would remain neutral toward praise and blame.

  3. 3

    He is compared to air, the life force within the body, which acts internally and externally yet remains neutral.

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. antaḥinternally
  2. bahiḥexternally
  3. caand
  4. bhūtānāmof living entities
  5. paśyanseeing
  6. karmāṇiactivities
  7. cāraṇaiḥby spies
  8. udāsīnaḥneutral
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 4.16

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “glorification”

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 much do praise and blame disturb my ability to remain neutral?

Practice

When praised or criticized today, pause before responding and try to remain steady.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Neutral Amid Praise and BlameThis 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 4.16.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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