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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 19: King Pṛthu’s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
4.19.124.19.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.19.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

अत्रिणा चोदितो हन्तुं पृथुपुत्रो महारथ: ।

अन्वधावत सङ्‍कुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥ १३ ॥

atriṇā codito hantuṁ

pṛthu-putro mahā-rathaḥ

anvadhāvata saṅkruddhas

tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt

Translation

When the son of King Pṛthu was informed by Atri of King Indra’s trick, he immediately became very angry and followed Indra to kill him, calling, “Wait! Wait!”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

High Position Does Not Excuse Dishonor

  1. 1

    After Atri revealed Indra’s trick, Pṛthu’s son angrily pursued Indra, calling, “Wait! Wait!”

  2. 2

    The words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha are a kṣatriya’s challenge to a fleeing enemy. A real kṣatriya neither attacks an enemy from behind nor turns his back on the battlefield.

  3. 3

    Although Indra was the exalted King of heaven, stealing the sacrificial horse degraded him. He fled without observing kṣatriya principles.

Key points from the purport
  • The words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha are used by a kṣatriya when he challenges his enemy.
  • A real kṣatriya does not kill his enemy from behind, nor does a real kṣatriya turn his back on the battlefield.
  • Therefore he fled without observing the kṣatriya principles, and the son of Pṛthu had to challenge him with the words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha.

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. atriṇāby the great sage Atri
  2. coditaḥbeing encouraged
  3. hantumto kill
  4. pṛthu-putraḥthe son of King Pṛthu
  5. mahā-rathaḥa great hero
  6. anvadhāvatafollowed
  7. saṅkruddhaḥbeing very angry
  8. tiṣṭha tiṣṭhajust wait, just wait
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 4.19

    In this verse: “king”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “principles”

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

Do I rely on my position or reputation instead of acting honorably?

Practice

Fulfill one responsibility today that you have been tempted to evade.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHigh Position Does Not Excuse DishonorThis 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 4.19.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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