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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 20: Lord Viṣṇu’s Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.20.164.20.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.20.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.20.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

स इत्थं लोकगुरुणा विष्वक्सेनेन विश्वजित् ।

अनुशासित आदेशं शिरसा जगृहे हरे: ॥ १७ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sa itthaṁ loka-guruṇā

viṣvaksenena viśva-jit

anuśāsita ādeśaṁ

śirasā jagṛhe hareḥ

Translation

The great saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in this way Mahārāja Pṛthu, the conqueror of the entire world, accepted the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on his head.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive the Lord’s Instructions With Respect

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Pṛthu accepted the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on his head. His example teaches us to receive the Lord’s words with great care, attention and respect.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s instructions should be accepted as they are. It is not our business to amend His words or make additions or alterations.

  3. 3

    Pṛthu Mahārāja shows how knowledge is received through the paramparā system. Acceptance of the Lord’s instructions begins with humble submission at His lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • One should accept the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by bowing down at the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • This means that anything spoken by the Personality of Godhead should be taken as it is, with great care and attention and with great respect.
  • Here the practical example of how to accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is shown by Pṛthu Mahārāja.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. saḥhe
  3. itthamthus
  4. loka-guruṇāby the supreme master of all people
  5. viṣvaksenenaby the Personality of Godhead
  6. viśva-jitthe conqueror of the world (Mahārāja Pṛthu)
  7. anuśāsitaḥbeing ordered
  8. ādeśaminstructions
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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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “humble”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 try to understand the Lord’s instructions as they are, or adjust them to suit my preferences?

Practice

Read one instruction from Bhagavad-gītā slowly today, with the intention to understand it without changing its meaning.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive the Lord’s Instructions With RespectThis 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 4.20.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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