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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 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.21.134.21.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.21.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्मिन्नर्हत्सु सर्वेषु स्वर्चितेषु यथार्हत: ।

उत्थित: सदसो मध्ये ताराणामुडुराडिव ॥ १४ ॥

tasminn arhatsu sarveṣu

sv-arciteṣu yathārhataḥ

utthitaḥ sadaso madhye

tārāṇām uḍurāḍ iva

Translation

In that great assembly, Mahārāja Pṛthu first of all worshiped all the respectable visitors according to their respective positions. After this, he stood up in the midst of the assembly, and it appeared that the full moon had arisen amongst the stars.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Guests Before Taking Center Stage

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Pṛthu first worshiped the respectable visitors according to their positions. Only afterward did he stand in the assembly.

  2. 2

    The purport stresses the importance of properly receiving exalted personalities. In the Vedic system, the first procedure is to wash their feet.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa Himself took charge of washing visitors’ feet at Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice. Pṛthu likewise arranged a proper reception for his distinguished guests.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the Vedic system, the reception of great, exalted personalities, as arranged by Pṛthu Mahārāja in that great sacrificial arena, is very important.
  • The first procedure in receiving guests is to wash their feet, and it is learned from Vedic literature that one time when Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira performed a Rājasūya-yajña, Kṛṣṇa took charge of washing the feet of the visitors.
  • Similarly, Mahārāja Pṛthu also arranged for the proper reception of the demigods, the saintly sages, the brāhmaṇas and the great kings.

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 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu

Pṛthu addresses an assembly about devotional service and respect for brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.21
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasminin that great meeting
  2. arhatsuof all those who are worshipable
  3. sarveṣuall of them
  4. su-arciteṣubeing worshiped according to their respective positions
  5. yathā-arhataḥas they deserved
  6. utthitaḥstood up
  7. sadasaḥamongst the assembly members
  8. madhyewithin the midst
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “worshiped”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I give others a thoughtful welcome before turning attention toward myself?

Practice

Welcome one visitor or person you meet today with attention, and offer them a comfortable place to sit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Guests Before Taking Center StageThis 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 4.21.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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