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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
4.16.194.16.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.20

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

अयं भुवो मण्डलमोदयाद्रे-र्गोप्तैकवीरो नरदेवनाथ: । आस्थाय जैत्रं रथमात्तचाप:पर्यस्यते दक्षिणतो यथार्क: ॥ २० ॥

ayaṁ bhuvo maṇḍalam odayādrer

goptaika-vīro naradeva-nāthaḥ

āsthāya jaitraṁ ratham ātta-cāpaḥ

paryasyate dakṣiṇato yathārkaḥ

Translation

This King, being uniquely powerful and heroic, will have no competitor. He will travel around the globe on his victorious chariot, holding his invincible bow in his hand and appearing exactly like the sun, which rotates in its own orbit from the south.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ideal Rulers Represent the Lord’s Protection

  1. 1

    Pṛthu would travel around the globe with his invincible bow, without a competitor. His reign would extend over the whole planet, including the Himālaya Mountains and the borders of all oceans and seas.

  2. 2

    The purport explains the sun comparison by describing the sun as moving in its orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    A qualified, ideal king is honored as God in human form because he represents Nārāyaṇa in protecting the citizens. Such honor requires genuine competence in ruling and protecting.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word yathārkaḥ indicates that the sun is not fixed but is rotating in its orbit, which is set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Similarly, Brahma-saṁhitā states, yasyājñayā bhramati sambhṛta-kāla-cakraḥ: the sun rotates in its own orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • A king or governmental head must therefore be so competent to rule over the state that the citizens will worship him as God in human form.

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. ayamthis King
  2. bhuvaḥof the world
  3. maṇḍalamthe globe
  4. ā-udaya-adreḥfrom the mountain where the first appearance of the sun is visible
  5. goptāwill protect
  6. ekauniquely
  7. vīraḥpowerful, heroic
  8. nara-devaof all kings, gods in human society
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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”, “citizens”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protecting”

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

When I have responsibility for others, do I place their protection and welfare first?

Practice

Take one practical step today to protect the well-being of someone for whom you are responsible.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.16's connections

Live this todayIdeal Rulers Represent the Lord’s ProtectionThis 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 4.16.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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