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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
4.16.44.16.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The reciterssince 4.16.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एष वै लोकपालानां बिभर्त्येकस्तनौ तनू: ।

काले काले यथाभागं लोकयोरुभयोर्हितम् ॥ ५ ॥

eṣa vai loka-pālānāṁ

bibharty ekas tanau tanūḥ

kāle kāle yathā-bhāgaṁ

lokayor ubhayor hitam

Translation

This King alone, in his own body, will be able in due course of time to maintain all living entities and keep them in a pleasant condition by manifesting himself as different demigods to perform various departmental activities. Thus he will maintain the upper planetary system by inducing the populace to perform Vedic sacrifices. In due course of time he will also maintain this earthly planet by discharging proper rainfall.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sacrifice Supports the Welfare of All

  1. 1

    The demigods who maintain the world are assistants to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His incarnation can perform their functions to keep the planetary systems in order.

  2. 2

    Living bodies depend on food grains, grains depend on rain, and rain comes through sacrifice. Pṛthu would engage citizens in sacrifice so that there would be no scarcity or distress.

  3. 3

    For Kali-yuga, the scriptures advise chanting the Lord’s holy names. The purport recommends the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra to counteract the unfortunate condition of government.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods in charge of the various departmental activities that maintain this world are but assistants to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Consequently the incarnation of Godhead is able to act for the departmental demigods to keep the planetary systems in order.
  • The protection of the earthly planet is dependent on proper rainfall, and as stated in Bhagavad-gītā and other scriptures, sacrifices are performed to please those demigods who are in charge of rainfall:

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.16.5 quotesBG 3.14

Rains are produced by performance of yajña [sacrifice], and yajña is born of prescribed duties.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. eṣaḥthis King
  2. vaicertainly
  3. loka-pālānāmof all the demigods
  4. bibhartibears
  5. ekaḥalone
  6. tanauin his body
  7. tanūḥthe bodies
  8. kāle kālein due course of time
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: “king”, “government”, “citizens”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”

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 does this teaching help me recognize dependence on the Lord rather than human planning alone?

Practice

Chant once attentively: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySacrifice Supports the Welfare of AllThis 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 4.16.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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