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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
4.21.54.21.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.21.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.21.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पूजित: पूजयामास तत्र तत्र महायशा: ।

पौराञ्जानपदांस्तांस्तान्प्रीत: प्रियवरप्रद: ॥ ६ ॥

pūjitaḥ pūjayām āsa

tatra tatra mahā-yaśāḥ

paurāñ jānapadāṁs tāṁs tān

prītaḥ priya-vara-pradaḥ

Translation

Both the important citizens and the common citizens welcomed the King very heartily, and he also bestowed upon them their desired blessings.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Responsible Leaders Remain Approachable

  1. 1

    Both important and common citizens welcomed the King heartily, and he bestowed their desired blessings.

  2. 2

    A responsible king was always approachable. Whenever he met citizens, he fulfilled their desires or mitigated their grievances.

  3. 3

    The purport praises responsible monarchy for direct access and immediate attention to grievances. Its criticism of so-called democratic government centers on the lack of such personal accountability.

Key points from the purport
  • A responsible king was always approachable by his citizens.
  • The king knew this, and therefore whenever he met the citizens he immediately fulfilled their desires or mitigated their grievances.
  • In a responsible monarchy the citizens had no grievances against the government, and even if they did, they could approach the king directly for immediate satisfaction.

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. pūjitaḥbeing worshiped
  2. pūjayām āsaoffered worship
  3. tatra tatrahere and there
  4. mahā-yaśāḥwith a background of great activities
  5. paurānthe noble men of the city
  6. jāna-padāncommon citizens
  7. tān tānin that way
  8. prītaḥbeing satisfied
  9. priya-vara-pradaḥwas ready to offer them all benediction
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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”, “citizens”, “government”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.21

    In this verse: “blessings”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approachable when someone needs help with a concern?

Practice

Listen to one person’s concern today and take one practical step within your ability to help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayResponsible Leaders Remain ApproachableThis 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 4.21.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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