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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
4.18.274.18.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.28

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

ततो महीपति: प्रीत: सर्वकामदुघां पृथु: ।

दुहितृत्वे चकारेमां प्रेम्णा दुहितृवत्सल: ॥ २८ ॥

tato mahīpatiḥ prītaḥ

sarva-kāma-dughāṁ pṛthuḥ

duhitṛtve cakāremāṁ

premṇā duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ

Translation

Thereafter King Pṛthu was very satisfied with the planet earth, for she sufficiently supplied all food to various living entities. Thus he developed an affection for the planet earth, just as if she were his own daughter.

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.

Pṛthu's Satisfaction Became Affection

  1. 1

    The earth sufficiently supplied food to the various living entities.

  2. 2

    King Pṛthu was very satisfied with the earth because of this provision.

  3. 3

    His satisfaction developed into affection. He regarded the earth as though she were his own daughter.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. mahī-patiḥthe King
  3. prītaḥbeing pleased
  4. sarva-kāmaall desirables
  5. dughāmproducing as milk
  6. pṛthuḥKing Pṛthu
  7. duhitṛtvetreating as his daughter
  8. cakāradid
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

How can appreciation for the earth's provision become affectionate care rather than mere use?

Practice

Handle the food you receive today carefully, remembering the earth's generous supply.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPṛthu's Satisfaction Became AffectionThis 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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