1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 19: King Pṛthu’s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
4.19.94.19.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.19.10

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.19.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

इति चाधोक्षजेशस्य पृथोस्तु परमोदयम् ।

असूयन् भगवानिन्द्र: प्रतिघातमचीकरत् ॥ १० ॥

iti cādhokṣajeśasya

pṛthos tu paramodayam

asūyan bhagavān indraḥ

pratighātam acīkarat

Translation

King Pṛthu was dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Adhokṣaja. Because King Pṛthu performed so many sacrifices, he was superhumanly enhanced by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. King Pṛthu’s opulence, however, could not be tolerated by the King of heaven, Indra, who tried to impede the progress of his opulence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Power Never Replaces Dependence on the Lord

  1. 1

    Although Pṛthu was an empowered incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, he remained a living entity and a devotee. Empowerment never removes one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Indra was called bhagavān because of his great power, but he was still a conditioned living entity. His envy of Pṛthu shows that material greatness does not remove material defects.

  3. 3

    Pṛthu’s opulence depended on the mercy of Adhokṣaja, not material conditions. Though beyond the reach of mind and senses, the Lord reveals His eternal form of bliss and knowledge to His devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • As such, he must be a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Although one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is an incarnation, he should not forget his eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • King Indra is described herein as bhagavān, which is generally used in reference to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 19: King Pṛthu’s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices

Indra repeatedly takes the sacrificial horse, and Brahmā restrains Pṛthu’s anger.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. caalso
  3. adhokṣaja-īśasyawho accepted Adhokṣaja as his worshipable Lord
  4. pṛthoḥof King Pṛthu
  5. tuthen
  6. paramathe topmost
  7. udayamopulence
  8. asūyanbeing envious of
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 gain ability or success, do I remember my dependence on the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Choose one ability you value and offer a brief prayer to use it in the Lord’s service rather than for pride.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPower Never Replaces Dependence on the LordThis 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 4.19.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories