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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
4.16.124.16.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.13

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

नादण्ड्यं दण्डयत्येष सुतमात्मद्विषामपि ।

दण्डयत्यात्मजमपि दण्ड्यं धर्मपथे स्थित: ॥ १३ ॥

nādaṇḍyaṁ daṇḍayaty eṣa

sutam ātma-dviṣām api

daṇḍayaty ātmajam api

daṇḍyaṁ dharma-pathe sthitaḥ

Translation

Since this King will always remain on the path of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is not punishable, he will not punish him, but if his own son is punishable, he will immediately punish him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Justice Without Favoritism

  1. 1

    An impartial ruler must punish criminals and protect the innocent.

  2. 2

    King Pṛthu would not hesitate to punish his own son if his son deserved punishment.

  3. 3

    If his enemy’s son were innocent, Pṛthu would not devise an intrigue to punish him. His decisions would follow the path of piety.

Key points from the purport
  • It is the duty of a ruler to punish the criminal and give protection to the innocent.
  • King Pṛthu was so neutral that if his own son were punishable, he would not hesitate to punish him.
  • On the other hand, if the son of his enemy were innocent, he would not engage in some intrigue in order to punish 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. nanot
  2. adaṇḍyamnot punishable
  3. daṇḍayatipunishes
  4. eṣaḥthis King
  5. sutamthe son
  6. ātma-dviṣāmof his enemies
  7. apieven
  8. daṇḍayatihe punishes
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”, “ruler”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “protect”

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

Do my personal attachments affect how I judge someone’s actions?

Practice

In one disagreement today, consider the facts without favoring the person you like more.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJustice Without FavoritismThis 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 4.16.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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