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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
4.21.244.21.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.25

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Pṛthusince 4.21.25inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तत् प्रजा भर्तृपिण्डार्थं स्वार्थमेवानसूयव: ।

कुरुताधोक्षजधियस्तर्हि मेऽनुग्रह: कृत: ॥ २५ ॥

tat prajā bhartṛ-piṇḍārthaṁ

svārtham evānasūyavaḥ

kurutādhokṣaja-dhiyas

tarhi me ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ

Translation

Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: Therefore, my dear citizens, for the welfare of your king after his death, you should execute your duties properly in terms of your positions of varṇa and āśrama and should always think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within your hearts. By doing so, you will protect your own interests, and you will bestow mercy upon your king for his welfare after death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perform Your Duties in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja asked his citizens to perform their duties while always thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within their hearts. This would benefit both them and their king after death.

  2. 2

    Both rulers and citizens should be Kṛṣṇa conscious. A responsible government must teach Kṛṣṇa consciousness for everyone's welfare.

  3. 3

    Whatever one does, eats, gives in charity or undertakes as penance should be for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction. Acting for the Supreme Personality of Godhead frees one from implication in material reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • The king and citizens should both be Kṛṣṇa conscious; otherwise both of them will be doomed to lower species of life after death.
  • Without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, neither the state nor the citizens of the state can be responsible.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja therefore specifically requested the citizens to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and he was also very anxious to teach them how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 4.21.25 quotesBG 9.27

A summary of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is given in Bhagavad-gītā (9.27): “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you give in charity and whatever penances you undergo should be done in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. prajāḥmy dear citizens
  3. bhartṛof the master
  4. piṇḍa-arthamwelfare after death
  5. sva-arthamown interest
  6. evacertainly
  7. anasūyavaḥwithout being envious
  8. kurutajust execute
3

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”, “rulers”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “welfare”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which part of my daily routine could I consciously do for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction?

Practice

Choose one ordinary duty today and perform it while remembering Kṛṣṇa and wishing to please Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerform Your Duties in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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.

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