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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
4.21.184.21.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.19

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

शिशिरस्‍निग्धताराक्ष: समैक्षत समन्तत: ।

ऊचिवानिदमुर्वीश: सद: संहर्षयन्निव ॥ १९ ॥

śiśira-snigdha-tārākṣaḥ

samaikṣata samantataḥ

ūcivān idam urvīśaḥ

sadaḥ saṁharṣayann iva

Translation

Just to encourage the members of the assembly and to enhance their pleasure, King Pṛthu glanced over them with eyes that seemed like stars in a sky wet with dew. He then spoke to them in a great voice.

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.

Encourage Others Before You Speak

  1. 1

    King Pṛthu glanced around at the members of the assembly. His purpose was to encourage them and increase their pleasure.

  2. 2

    His eyes were compared to stars in a sky wet with dew. This gentle description accompanies his encouraging glance.

  3. 3

    After looking over the assembly, Pṛthu spoke in a great voice. His attention to the listeners came before his words.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śiśiradew
  2. snigdhawet
  3. tārāstars
  4. akṣaḥeyes
  5. samaikṣataglanced over
  6. samantataḥall around
  7. ūcivānbegan to speak
  8. idamthis
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 4.21

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my manner before speaking help others feel encouraged?

Practice

Before speaking to someone today, give them a kind, attentive look and consider how your words can encourage them.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEncourage Others Before You SpeakThis 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 4.21.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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