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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 21: Instructions by Mahārāja Pṛthu
4.21.214.21.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.22

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.21.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अहं दण्डधरो राजा प्रजानामिह योजित: ।

रक्षिता वृत्तिद: स्वेषु सेतुषु स्थापिता पृथक् ॥ २२ ॥

ahaṁ daṇḍa-dharo rājā

prajānām iha yojitaḥ

rakṣitā vṛttidaḥ sveṣu

setuṣu sthāpitā pṛthak

Translation

King Pṛthu continued: By the grace of the Supreme Lord I have been appointed the king of this planet, and I carry the scepter to rule the citizens, protect them from all danger, and give them employment according to their respective positions in the social order established by Vedic injunction.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Leadership Means Protecting All Living Beings

  1. 1

    The opportunity to govern is given by the Supreme Lord. A ruler should look after the people's interests and help them progress toward the highest perfection.

  2. 2

    The government should provide proper employment according to people's occupational duties and modes of material nature. Social position should not be claimed merely by birthright.

  3. 3

    Prajā includes animals, trees and all other living entities, not only human beings. Pṛthu Mahārāja understood that the ruler must provide protection and food for them all.

Key points from the purport
  • The four social orders — the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras — are natural divisions of human society, and as declared by Pṛthu Mahārāja, every man in his respective social order must have proper employment for his livelihood.
  • It is the duty of the king or the government to insure that the people observe the social order and that they are also employed in their respective occupational duties.
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu, as an ideal king, strictly observed the maintenance of the Vedic social order.

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. ahamI
  2. daṇḍa-dharaḥcarrier of the scepter
  3. rājāking
  4. prajānāmof the citizens
  5. ihain this world
  6. yojitaḥengaged
  7. rakṣitāprotector
  8. vṛtti-daḥemployer
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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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”, “ruler”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “protect”, “protection”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “danger”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I extend my care beyond human beings to other living entities?

Practice

Give water to a thirsty animal or a plant that needs it, remembering the duty to protect living beings.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLeadership Means Protecting All Living BeingsThis 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 4.21.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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