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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 18: Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth Planet
4.18.294.18.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.18.30

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

अथास्मिन् भगवान् वैन्य: प्रजानां वृत्तिद: पिता ।

निवासान् कल्पयां चक्रे तत्र तत्र यथार्हत: ॥ ३० ॥

athāsmin bhagavān vainyaḥ

prajānāṁ vṛttidaḥ pitā

nivāsān kalpayāṁ cakre

tatra tatra yathārhataḥ

Translation

To all the citizens of the state, King Pṛthu was as good as a father. Thus he was visibly engaged in giving them proper subsistence and proper employment for subsistence. After leveling the surface of the globe, he earmarked different places for residential quarters, inasmuch as they were desirable.

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 Ruler Cares Like a Father

  1. 1

    King Pṛthu was as good as a father to all the citizens of the state.

  2. 2

    He was visibly engaged in providing proper subsistence. He also provided suitable employment through which citizens could maintain themselves.

  3. 3

    After leveling the earth, he designated suitable places for residential quarters.

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. athathus
  2. asminon this planet earth
  3. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  4. vainyaḥson of Vena
  5. prajānāmof the citizens
  6. vṛttidaḥwho supplies employment
  7. pitāa father
  8. nivāsānresidences
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 4.18

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.18

    In this verse: “father”

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

What does Pṛthu's example teach me about caring for people's practical needs?

Practice

Ask someone in your care whether they need help with one practical necessity today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Ruler Cares Like a FatherThis 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 4.18.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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