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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
4.21.494.21.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.50

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The audiencesince 4.21.49inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नात्यद्भुतमिदं नाथ तवाजीव्यानुशासनम् ।

प्रजानुरागो महतां प्रकृति: करुणात्मनाम् ॥ ५० ॥

nātyadbhutam idaṁ nātha

tavājīvyānuśāsanam

prajānurāgo mahatāṁ

prakṛtiḥ karuṇātmanām

Translation

Our dear lord, it is your occupational duty to rule over your citizens. That is not a very wonderful task for a personality like you, who are so affectionate in seeing to the interests of the citizens, because you are full of mercy. That is the greatness of your character.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Compassionate Leadership Supports Devotional Progress

  1. 1

    A king may levy taxes for his livelihood, but his duty is to protect the citizens and help them reach the highest standard of life. The different social classes likewise have duties that support society.

  2. 2

    A qualified leader must be merciful and compassionate. He should serve the citizens’ prime interest: becoming elevated devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Great souls naturally do good to others, and a Vaiṣṇava is especially compassionate. When society follows the guidance of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, everyone can progress together toward life’s highest perfection.

Key points from the purport
  • Great souls are naturally inclined to do good to others, and a Vaiṣṇava especially is the most compassionate and merciful personality in society.
  • Therefore we offer our respects to a Vaiṣṇava leader as follows:
  • Only a Vaiṣṇava leader can fulfill all the desires of the people (vāñchā-kalpataru), and he is compassionate because he is the contributor of the greatest benefit to human society.

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. nanot
  2. ativery great
  3. adbhutamwonderful
  4. idamthis
  5. nāthaO lord
  6. tavayour
  7. ājīvyasource of income
  8. anuśāsanamruling over 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: “duty”, “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “citizens”, “king”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “mercy”, “merciful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I help others, do I also care about their progress in devotional life?

Practice

Offer one small, practical help to someone engaged in devotional service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassionate Leadership Supports Devotional ProgressThis 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 4.21.50? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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