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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 17: Mahārāja Pṛthu Becomes Angry at the Earth
4.17.174.17.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.17.18

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.17.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

उवाच च महाभागं धर्मज्ञापन्नवत्सल । त्राहि मामपि भूतानां पालनेऽवस्थितो भवान् ॥ १८ ॥

uvāca ca mahā-bhāgaṁ

dharma-jñāpanna-vatsala

trāhi mām api bhūtānāṁ

pālane ’vasthito bhavān

Translation

Addressing the great, opulent King Pṛthu as the knower of religious principles and shelter of the surrendered, she said: Please save me. You are the protector of all living entities. Now you are situated as the King of this planet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Religious Duty Includes Protecting the Surrendered

  1. 1

    The earth addressed King Pṛthu as dharma-jña, one who knows religious principles. She appealed to him as the shelter of the surrendered.

  2. 2

    The purport states that a woman, a cow, a child, a brāhmaṇa and an old man must receive protection. This duty belongs to the king and to others as well.

  3. 3

    Religious principles forbid killing someone who surrenders. The earth reminded Pṛthu that he was both an incarnation of God and the King, and appealed to him to excuse her.

Key points from the purport
  • The cow-shaped earth addressed King Pṛthu as dharma-jña, which refers to one who knows the principles of religion.
  • The principles of religion dictate that a woman, a cow, a child, a brāhmaṇa and an old man must be given all protection by the king or anyone else.
  • She reminded King Pṛthu that not only was he an incarnation of God, but he was situated as the King of the earth as well.

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 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. uvācashe said
  2. caand
  3. mahā-bhāgamunto the great, fortunate King
  4. dharma-jñaO knower of the principles of religion
  5. āpanna-vatsalaO shelter of the surrendered
  6. trāhisave
  7. māmme
  8. apiindeed
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “duty”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “surrendered”, “shelter”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “protector”, “protection”

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 can I better protect someone who depends on my care?

Practice

Offer one small, practical act of care to a child or an elderly person today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReligious Duty Includes Protecting the SurrenderedThis 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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