1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.16.224.16.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.23

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

विस्फूर्जयन्नाजगवं धनु: स्वयंयदाचरत्क्ष्मामविषह्यमाजौ । तदा निलिल्युर्दिशि दिश्यसन्तोलाङ्गूलमुद्यम्य यथा मृगेन्द्र: ॥ २३ ॥

visphūrjayann āja-gavaṁ dhanuḥ svayaṁ

yadācarat kṣmām aviṣahyam ājau

tadā nililyur diśi diśy asanto

lāṅgūlam udyamya yathā mṛgendraḥ

Translation

When the lion travels in the forest with its tail turned upward, all menial animals hide themselves. Similarly, when King Pṛthu will travel over his kingdom and vibrate the string of his bow, which is made of the horns of goats and bulls and is irresistible in battle, all demoniac rogues and thieves will hide themselves in all directions.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strong Protection Supports Peace and Prosperity

  1. 1

    Pṛthu is compared to a lion whose presence makes other animals hide. His powerful presence will make demoniac rogues and thieves hide in all directions.

  2. 2

    As he travels through his kingdom, he will vibrate the string of his bow, which is irresistible in battle.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that peace and prosperity require rogues and thieves to fear the executive head. A ruler must firmly restrain those who harm others.

Key points from the purport
  • It is very appropriate to compare a powerful king like Pṛthu to a lion.
  • Unless rogues, thieves and other demoniac people in a state are afraid of the executive head, who rules the kingdom with a strong hand, there cannot be peace or prosperity in the state.
  • Thus it is most regrettable when a woman becomes the executive head instead of a lionlike king.

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. visphūrjayanvibrating
  2. āja-gavammade of the horns of goats and bulls
  3. dhanuḥhis bow
  4. svayampersonally
  5. yadāwhen
  6. acaratwill travel
  7. kṣmāmon the earth
  8. aviṣahyamirresistible
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”, “kingdom”, “ruler”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “fear”

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

Why does protecting others sometimes require firmness?

Practice

Identify one situation in your responsibilities where a clear, peaceful boundary could protect someone from harm.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrong Protection Supports Peace and ProsperityThis 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 4.16.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories