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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 17: Mahārāja Pṛthu Becomes Angry at the Earth
4.16.274.17.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.17.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.17.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

एवं स भगवान् वैन्य: ख्यापितो गुणकर्मभि: । छन्दयामास तान् कामै: प्रतिपूज्याभिनन्द्य च ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

evaṁ sa bhagavān vainyaḥ

khyāpito guṇa-karmabhiḥ

chandayām āsa tān kāmaiḥ

pratipūjyābhinandya ca

Translation

The great sage Maitreya continued: In this way the reciters who were glorifying Mahārāja Pṛthu readily described his qualities and chivalrous activities. At the end, Mahārāja Pṛthu offered them various presentations with all due respect and worshiped them adequately.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respond to Appreciation with Respect

  1. 1

    The reciters described Mahārāja Pṛthu’s qualities and chivalrous activities.

  2. 2

    After hearing their praise, Mahārāja Pṛthu offered them various gifts.

  3. 3

    He treated the reciters with due respect and worshiped them adequately.

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 17: Mahārāja Pṛthu Becomes Angry at the Earth

Pṛthu pursues the cow-shaped earth, who offers prayers and appeals to his mercy.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya continued to speak
  2. evamthus
  3. saḥhe
  4. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  5. vainyaḥin the form of the son of King Vena
  6. khyāpitaḥbeing glorified
  7. guṇa-karmabhiḥby qualities and factual activities
  8. chandayām āsapacified
3

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “glorifying”, “reciters”, “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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 do I respond when someone sincerely appreciates my efforts?

Practice

Thank someone who has encouraged you, and acknowledge their effort with respect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespond to Appreciation with RespectThis 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 4.17.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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