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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
4.17.184.17.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.17.19

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cow-shaped earthsince 4.17.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स त्वं जिघांससे कस्माद्दीनामकृतकिल्बिषाम् । अहनिष्यत्कथं योषां धर्मज्ञ इति यो मत: ॥ १९ ॥

sa tvaṁ jighāṁsase kasmād

dīnām akṛta-kilbiṣām

ahaniṣyat kathaṁ yoṣāṁ

dharma-jña iti yo mataḥ

Translation

The cow-shaped earth continued to appeal to the King: I am very poor and have not committed any sinful activities. I do not know why you want to kill me. Since you are supposed to be the knower of all religious principles, why are you so envious of me, and why are you so anxious to kill a woman?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Earth Appeals to Religious Protection

  1. 1

    The earth described herself as poor and free from sinful activities. She asked why the King wanted to kill her.

  2. 2

    Her appeal rested on two grounds: her innocence and her being a woman. The purport explains that a king who knows religious principles cannot kill an innocent person.

  3. 3

    The purport also states that a woman is not to be killed even if she commits sinful activities. The earth therefore argued that the King should spare her.

Key points from the purport
  • The earth appealed to the King in two ways.
  • A king who knows religious principles cannot kill anyone who has not committed sinful activities.
  • Since the earth was innocent and was also a woman, the King should not kill her.

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. saḥthat very person
  2. tvamyou
  3. jighāṁsasewant to kill
  4. kasmātwhy
  5. dīnāmpoor
  6. akṛtawithout having done
  7. kilbiṣāmany sinful activities
  8. ahaniṣyatwould kill
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “king”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 listen carefully when someone appeals against unfair treatment?

Practice

Before judging someone today, give them an opportunity to explain their actions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Earth Appeals to Religious ProtectionThis 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 4.17.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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