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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
4.21.234.21.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.24

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.21.23inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

य उद्धरेत्करं राजा प्रजा धर्मेष्वशिक्षयन् ।

प्रजानां शमलं भुङ्क्ते भगं च स्वं जहाति स: ॥ २४ ॥

ya uddharet karaṁ rājā

prajā dharmeṣv aśikṣayan

prajānāṁ śamalaṁ bhuṅkte

bhagaṁ ca svaṁ jahāti saḥ

Translation

Any king who does not teach his citizens about their respective duties in terms of varṇa and āśrama but who simply exacts tolls and taxes from them is liable to suffer for the impious activities which have been performed by the citizens. In addition to such degradation, the king also loses his own fortune.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Authority Requires Spiritual Responsibility

  1. 1

    A king, governor or president must discharge the duties of office, not merely enjoy the position. This includes teaching people their duties within varṇa and āśrama.

  2. 2

    Leaders who merely collect taxes without giving such instruction share in the citizens' impious activities. The head of state and government servants involved in collection are both accountable.

  3. 3

    The laws of nature are subtle, and association can bring a share in the reactions to sinful activities. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement distributes Vedic knowledge for people's benefit.

Key points from the purport
  • A king, governor or president should not take the opportunity to occupy his post without also discharging his duty.
  • If a king neglects to give such instructions and is simply satisfied with levying taxes, then those who share in the collection — namely, all the government servants and the head of the state — are liable to share in the impious activities of the general masses.
  • For example, if one eats in a place which is very sinful, he shares in the resultant reaction of the sinful activities performed there.

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. yaḥanyone (king or governor)
  2. uddharetexact
  3. karamtaxes
  4. rājāking
  5. prajāḥthe citizens
  6. dharmeṣuin executing their respective duties
  7. aśikṣayanwithout teaching them how to execute their respective duties
  8. prajānāmof the citizens
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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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “duties”, “varṇa”, “āśrama”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “sinful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I accept benefits from a responsibility without fully carrying out its duties?

Practice

Identify one responsibility you hold and carry out one neglected duty connected with it today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAuthority Requires Spiritual ResponsibilityThis 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 4.21.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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