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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
4.16.64.16.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.16.7

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

तितिक्षत्यक्रमं वैन्य उपर्याक्रमतामपि ।

भूतानां करुण: शश्वदार्तानां क्षितिवृत्तिमान् ॥ ७ ॥

titikṣaty akramaṁ vainya

upary ākramatām api

bhūtānāṁ karuṇaḥ śaśvad

ārtānāṁ kṣiti-vṛttimān

Translation

This King Pṛthu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may trample over the King’s head by violating the rules and regulations, the King, out of his causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will be as tolerant as the earth itself.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Tolerance Continues to Care for Others

  1. 1

    The earth is trampled by people and animals yet continues to produce grains, fruits and vegetables. Pṛthu’s tolerance is compared to this generosity.

  2. 2

    Even when citizens violated the rules, Pṛthu would remain tolerant and continue maintaining them. His kindness included forgiveness toward the poor and distressed.

  3. 3

    A king should care for citizens even at the cost of personal convenience. The purport contrasts this with rulers whose unfair taxation burdens people and encourages dishonesty.

Key points from the purport
  • As an ideal king, Mahārāja Pṛthu is compared to the earthly planet, for even though some citizens might violate the rules and regulations of the state, he would still be tolerant and maintain them with fruits and grains.
  • In other words, it is the duty of the king to look after the comforts of the citizens, even at the cost of his own personal convenience.
  • Everything will collapse, and there will be chaos and disturbance all over the state.

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. titikṣatitolerates
  2. akramamoffense
  3. vainyaḥthe son of King Vena
  4. uparion his head
  5. ākramatāmof those who are trampling
  6. apialso
  7. bhūtānāmto all living entities
  8. karuṇaḥvery kindhearted
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”, “citizens”, “rulers”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.16

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindness”, “distressed”

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

Can I continue showing practical kindness when someone inconveniences me?

Practice

Respond patiently to one small inconvenience today, without withdrawing your kindness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTolerance Continues to Care for OthersThis 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.

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