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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.20.144.20.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.15

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Viṣṇusince 4.20.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एवं द्विजाग्र्यानुमतानुवृत्त

धर्मप्रधानोऽन्यतमोऽवितास्या: ।

ह्रस्वेन कालेन गृहोपयातान्

द्रष्टासि सिद्धाननुरक्तलोक: ॥ १५ ॥

evaṁ dvijāgryānumatānuvṛtta-

dharma-pradhāno ’nyatamo ’vitāsyāḥ

hrasvena kālena gṛhopayātān

draṣṭāsi siddhān anurakta-lokaḥ

Translation

Lord Viṣṇu continued: My dear King Pṛthu, if you continue to protect the citizens according to the instructions of the learned brāhmaṇa authorities, as they are received by the disciplic succession — by hearing — from master to disciple, and if you follow the religious principles laid down by them, without attachment to ideas manufactured by mental concoction, then every one of your citizens will be happy and will love you, and very soon you will be able to see such already liberated personalities as the four Kumāras [Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear Authentic Guidance and Apply It

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu tells King Pṛthu to protect the citizens according to religious principles received through disciplic succession. He should follow learned authorities rather than ideas manufactured by mental concoction.

  2. 2

    Because strictly following varṇāśrama-dharma is difficult in this age, the purport emphasizes developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Its principles can be followed by everyone, everywhere.

  3. 3

    One need not change one's position in life, but must hear from the authentic paramparā and put its instructions into practice. The needed change is in consciousness, following the ācāryas' guidance toward pure devotion and returning home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Viṣṇu advised King Pṛthu that everyone should follow the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma; then, in whatever capacity one remains within this material world, his salvation is guaranteed after death.
  • In this age, however, since the system of varṇāśrama-dharma is topsy-turvy, it is very difficult to strictly follow all the principles.
  • It is essential, therefore, to follow the instructions of the ācāryas in the paramparā system, who have received the knowledge as passed down from spiritual master to disciple.

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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu

Lord Viṣṇu appears with Indra, instructs Pṛthu, and receives his worship and devotional prayers.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. dvijaof the brāhmaṇas
  3. agryaby the foremost
  4. anumataapproved
  5. anuvṛttareceived by disciplic succession
  6. dharmareligious principles
  7. pradhānaḥhe whose chief interest is
  8. anyatamaḥunattached
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “varṇāśrama-dharma”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “attachment”

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

How can you focus more on changing your consciousness than on changing your outward situation?

Practice

Reread one instruction in this purport and choose one concrete way to apply it in your present circumstances today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Authentic Guidance and Apply ItThis 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 4.20.15? 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