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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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras
4.22.454.22.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.46

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 4.22.44inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स्वमेव ब्राह्मणो भुङ्क्ते स्वं वस्ते स्वं ददाति च ।

तस्यैवानुग्रहेणान्नं भुञ्जते क्षत्रियादय: ॥ ४६ ॥

svam eva brāhmaṇo bhuṅkte

svaṁ vaste svaṁ dadāti ca

tasyaivānugraheṇānnaṁ

bhuñjate kṣatriyādayaḥ

Translation

The kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras eat their food by virtue of the brāhmaṇas’ mercy. It is the brāhmaṇas who enjoy their own property, clothe themselves with their own property and give charity with their own property.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Guidance and Honor Kṛṣṇa’s Prasāda

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord honors the brāhmaṇas to teach others to respect their guidance. Their work is to spread Vedic knowledge, and a shortage of such guidance brings disorder to society.

  2. 2

    Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are direct servants of the Lord. The purport compares rulers and merchants to bankers who hold resources for their service and should distribute charity under their instructions.

  3. 3

    Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas set the example of eating only prasāda, food first offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Other members of society should likewise eat kṛṣṇa-prasāda and avoid forbidden foods and liquor.

Key points from the purport
  • Kṣatriyas and vaiśyas have no right to give charity, for whatever they possess belongs to the brāhmaṇas.
  • Therefore charity should be given by the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas under the instructions of the brāhmaṇas.
  • The kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras should eat only kṛṣṇa-prasāda, which is afforded them by the mercy of the brāhmaṇas.

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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras

The four Kumāras instruct Pṛthu, who dedicates himself and the fruits of his activities to the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. svamown
  2. evacertainly
  3. brāhmaṇaḥthe brāhmaṇa
  4. bhuṅkteenjoy
  5. svamown
  6. vasteclothing
  7. svamown
  8. dadātigives in charity
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “rulers”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “knowledge”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my eating become more closely connected with service to the Lord?

Practice

For one meal today, follow the guidance of brāhmaṇas or Vaiṣṇavas in offering suitable food to the Lord before eating.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Guidance and Honor Kṛṣṇa’s PrasādaThis 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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