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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 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet
4.17.364.18.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.18.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इत्थं पृथुमभिष्टूय रुषा प्रस्फुरिताधरम् ।

पुनराहावनिर्भीता संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

itthaṁ pṛthum abhiṣṭūya

ruṣā prasphuritādharam

punar āhāvanir bhītā

saṁstabhyātmānam ātmanā

Translation

The great saint Maitreya continued to address Vidura: My dear Vidura, at that time, after the planet earth finished her prayers, King Pṛthu was still not pacified, and his lips trembled in great anger. Although the planet earth was frightened, she made up her mind and began to speak as follows in order to convince the King.

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.

Steady Yourself Before Speaking

  1. 1

    Even after the earth offered her prayers, King Pṛthu remained angry, and his lips trembled.

  2. 2

    Although the earth was frightened, she settled her mind before speaking again.

  3. 3

    She chose to explain her position in order to convince the King.

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 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet

Pṛthu and others milk the earth; he provides citizens with food, employment, and places to live.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācathe great saint Maitreya continued to speak
  2. itthamthus
  3. pṛthumunto King Pṛthu
  4. abhiṣṭūyaafter offering prayers
  5. ruṣāin anger
  6. prasphuritatrembling
  7. adharamhis lips
  8. punaḥagain
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “king”

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

When I feel frightened during a difficult conversation, can I steady myself before speaking?

Practice

Pause and settle your mind before offering one difficult explanation today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySteady Yourself Before SpeakingThis 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 4.18.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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