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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
4.16.264.17.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.27

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

दिशो विजित्याप्रतिरुद्धचक्र:स्वतेजसोत्पाटितलोकशल्य: । सुरासुरेन्द्रैरुपगीयमानमहानुभावो भविता पतिर्भुव: ॥ २७ ॥

diśo vijityāpratiruddha-cakraḥ

sva-tejasotpāṭita-loka-śalyaḥ

surāsurendrair upagīyamāna-

mahānubhāvo bhavitā patir bhuvaḥ

Translation

No one will be able to disobey the orders of Pṛthu Mahārāja. After conquering the world, he will completely eradicate the threefold miseries of the citizens. Then he will be recognized all over the world. At that time both the suras and the asuras will undoubtedly glorify his magnanimous activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Government Uproots the Citizens’ Miseries

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja ruled the world through subordinate states. When maintenance of the varṇāśrama system became deficient, the emperor would take charge.

  2. 2

    He completely uprooted the citizens’ miseries, described as piercing thorns. Peace, prosperity, and freedom from anxiety are the standard of good government.

  3. 3

    Both the suras and the asuras will glorify his magnanimous activities. Aspiration to rule should rest on the ability to remove citizens’ threefold miseries, not on political or diplomatic considerations.

Key points from the purport
  • At the time of Mahārāja Pṛthu, the world was ruled by one emperor, although there were many subordinate states.
  • The word utpāṭita-loka-śalyaḥ indicates that Mahārāja Pṛthu completely uprooted all the miseries of his citizens.
  • If one is able to eradicate completely the threefold miseries of the citizens, he should aspire to rule the world.

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. diśaḥall directions
  2. vijityaconquering
  3. apratiruddhawithout check
  4. cakraḥhis influence or power
  5. sva-tejasāby his own prowess
  6. utpāṭitauprooted
  7. loka-śalyaḥthe miseries of the citizens
  8. suraof demigods
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “citizens”, “government”, “citizens’”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “glorify”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “varṇāśrama”

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 I use my influence to relieve others’ difficulties or to increase my own importance?

Practice

Ask someone under your care about one difficulty they face, and take a small step to help relieve it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGood Government Uproots the Citizens’ MiseriesThis 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 4.16.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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