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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
4.16.204.16.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.21

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

अस्मै नृपाला: किल तत्र तत्रबलिं हरिष्यन्ति सलोकपाला: । मंस्यन्त एषां स्त्रिय आदिराजंचक्रायुधं तद्यश उद्धरन्त्य: ॥ २१ ॥

asmai nṛ-pālāḥ kila tatra tatra

baliṁ hariṣyanti saloka-pālāḥ

maṁsyanta eṣāṁ striya ādi-rājaṁ

cakrāyudhaṁ tad-yaśa uddharantyaḥ

Translation

When the King travels all over the world, other kings, as well as the demigods, will offer him all kinds of presentations. Their queens will also consider him the original king, who carries in His hands the emblems of club and disc, and will sing of his fame, for he will be as reputable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The King Represents the Supreme Protector

  1. 1

    The original king is Nārāyaṇa, or Lord Viṣṇu. The Supreme Personality of Godhead protects and maintains all living entities.

  2. 2

    The king is His representative and should personally supervise the distribution of wealth for the maintenance of all living entities.

  3. 3

    Pṛthu Mahārāja was an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By ruling as His representative, he carried the Lord’s reputation throughout the world.

Key points from the purport
  • As far as reputation is concerned, King Pṛthu is already known as the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • People do not know that the original king, or Nārāyaṇa, is actually the protector of all living entities.
  • As mentioned in this verse (tad-yaśaḥ), Pṛthu Mahārāja was actually carrying with him the reputation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he was actually reigning over the world in that capacity.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asmaiunto him
  2. nṛ-pālāḥall the kings
  3. kilacertainly
  4. tatra tatrahere and there
  5. balimpresentations
  6. hariṣyantiwill offer
  7. sawith
  8. loka-pālāḥthe demigods
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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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protects”

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 the resources entrusted to me help maintain others?

Practice

Share one useful resource today with someone who needs it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe King Represents the Supreme ProtectorThis 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 4.16.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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