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
4.19.274.19.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.19.28

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

वयं मरुत्वन्तमिहार्थनाशनंह्वयामहे त्वच्छ्रवसा हतत्विषम् । अयातयामोपहवैरनन्तरंप्रसह्य राजन् जुहवाम तेऽहितम् ॥ २८ ॥

vayaṁ marutvantam ihārtha-nāśanaṁ

hvayāmahe tvac-chravasā hata-tviṣam

ayātayāmopahavair anantaraṁ

prasahya rājan juhavāma te ’hitam

Translation

Dear King, Indra’s powers are already reduced due to his attempt to impede the execution of your sacrifice. We shall call him by Vedic mantras which were never before used, and certainly he will come. Thus by the power of our mantra, we shall cast him into the fire because he is your enemy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Saṅkīrtana Is the Sacrifice for This Age

  1. 1

    The priests said Indra’s power had diminished because he obstructed the sacrifice. They proposed invoking him with Vedic mantras and casting him into the fire.

  2. 2

    Proper chanting of Vedic mantras can produce wonderful results. However, the purport states that Kali-yuga lacks qualified brāhmaṇas who can chant these mantras properly.

  3. 3

    Therefore, such great sacrifices should not be attempted in this age. The only sacrifice recommended is the saṅkīrtana movement.

Key points from the purport
  • By chanting the Vedic mantras properly in a sacrifice, one can perform many wonderful things.
  • In Kali-yuga, however, there are no qualified brāhmaṇas who can chant the mantras properly.
  • In this age the only sacrifice recommended is the saṅkīrtana movement.

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. vayamwe
  2. marut-vantamKing Indra
  3. ihahere
  4. arthaof your interest
  5. nāśanamthe destroyer
  6. hvayāmahewe shall call
  7. tvat-śravasāby your glory
  8. hata-tviṣamalready bereft of his power
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.19

    In this verse: “chanting”

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

Am I appreciating the sacrifice recommended for this age rather than seeking extraordinary ritual results?

Practice

Reserve a few minutes today for saṅkīrtana rather than attempting an elaborate ritual.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySaṅkīrtana Is the Sacrifice for This AgeThis 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 4.19.28? 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