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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
4.17.194.17.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.17.20

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

प्रहरन्ति न वै स्त्रीषु कृताग:स्वपि जन्तव: । किमुत त्वद्विधा राजन् करुणा दीनवत्सला: ॥ २० ॥

praharanti na vai strīṣu

kṛtāgaḥsv api jantavaḥ

kim uta tvad-vidhā rājan

karuṇā dīna-vatsalāḥ

Translation

Even if a woman does commit some sinful activity, no one should place his hand upon her. And what to speak of you, dear King, who are so merciful. You are a protector, and you are affectionate to the poor.

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.

A Protector Shows Mercy

  1. 1

    The earth stated that no one should strike a woman, even if she has committed a sinful activity. Wrongdoing does not remove this protection.

  2. 2

    She appealed especially to the King's mercy. Such violence would be still less fitting for a merciful ruler.

  3. 3

    She described him as a protector who was affectionate to the poor. Her appeal called attention to these qualities.

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. praharantistrike
  2. nanever
  3. vaicertainly
  4. strīṣuwomen
  5. kṛta-āgaḥsuhaving committed sinful activities
  6. apialthough
  7. jantavaḥhuman beings
  8. kim utathen what to speak of
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “king”, “king's”, “ruler”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.17

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • 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

Does my treatment of vulnerable people reflect mercy and affection?

Practice

Give one small act of help to a person in need today, treating them with kindness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Protector Shows MercyThis 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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