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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet
4.18.114.18.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.12

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

इति प्रियं हितं वाक्यं भुव आदाय भूपति: ।

वत्सं कृत्वा मनुं पाणावदुहत्सकलौषधी: ॥ १२ ॥

iti priyaṁ hitaṁ vākyaṁ

bhuva ādāya bhūpatiḥ

vatsaṁ kṛtvā manuṁ pāṇāv

aduhat sakalauṣadhīḥ

Translation

After hearing the auspicious and pleasing words of the planet earth, the King accepted them. He then transformed Svāyambhuva Manu into a calf and milked all the herbs and grains from the earth in the form of a cow, keeping them in his cupped hands.

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.

Accept Pleasing and Beneficial Counsel

  1. 1

    The King heard the earth’s auspicious and pleasing words and accepted them.

  2. 2

    He transformed Svāyambhuva Manu into a calf and milked the earth in the form of a cow.

  3. 3

    He received all the herbs and grains in his cupped hands.

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. itithus
  2. priyampleasing
  3. hitambeneficial
  4. vākyamwords
  5. bhuvaḥof the earth
  6. ādāyataking into consideration
  7. bhū-patiḥthe King
  8. vatsamcalf
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • 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

How willing am I to accept beneficial advice?

Practice

Listen carefully to one piece of helpful advice today before deciding how to respond.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Pleasing and Beneficial CounselThis 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 4.18.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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