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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.19.18

Who is speaking and story frame

तत्तस्य चाद्भुतं कर्म विचक्ष्य परमर्षय: ।

नामधेयं ददुस्तस्मै विजिताश्व इति प्रभो ॥ १८ ॥

tat tasya cādbhutaṁ karma

vicakṣya paramarṣayaḥ

nāmadheyaṁ dadus tasmai

vijitāśva iti prabho

Translation

My dear Lord Vidura, when the great sages observed the wonderful prowess of the son of King Pṛthu, they all agreed to give him the name Vijitāśva.

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.

The Sages Recognize Wonderful Prowess

  1. 1

    The great sages observed the wonderful prowess of King Pṛthu’s son.

  2. 2

    Their recognition followed what they had actually witnessed.

  3. 3

    All the sages agreed to give him the name Vijitāśva.

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. tatthat
  2. tasyahis
  3. caalso
  4. adbhutamwonderful
  5. karmaactivity
  6. vicakṣyaafter observing
  7. parama-ṛṣayaḥthe great sages
  8. nāmadheyamthe name
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”

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 notice and appreciate the worthy actions of others?

Practice

Thank someone today for a specific worthy action you have personally observed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sages Recognize Wonderful ProwessThis 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 4.19.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.