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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
4.22.494.22.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.50

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.22.48inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कर्माणि च यथाकालं यथादेशं यथाबलम् ।

यथोचितं यथावित्तमकरोद्ब्रह्मसात्कृतम् ॥ ५० ॥

karmāṇi ca yathā-kālaṁ

yathā-deśaṁ yathā-balam

yathocitaṁ yathā-vittam

akarod brahma-sāt-kṛtam

Translation

Being self-satisfied, Mahārāja Pṛthu executed his duties as perfectly as possible according to the time and his situation, strength and financial position. His only aim in all his activities was to satisfy the Absolute Truth. In this way, he duly acted.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Daily Duties Service to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja performed his duties according to the time, circumstances, financial means and personal ability. His aim was always to satisfy the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    A devotee’s work may look exactly like ordinary work, but its purpose is different. Work done to satisfy the Lord is not ordinary fruitive activity.

  3. 3

    Although transcendental to material activities, Pṛthu Mahārāja remained a responsible and dutiful king. He did nothing for his own sense gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu was a responsible monarch, and he had to execute the duties of a kṣatriya, a king and a devotee at the same time.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja’s activities were not ordinary, for they were in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Pṛthu Mahārāja’s activities were therefore not ordinary but were all spiritual and transcendental, for his aim was to satisfy the Lord.

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. karmāṇiactivities
  2. caalso
  3. yathā-kālambefitting time and circumstances
  4. yathā-deśambefitting the place and situation
  5. yathā-balambefitting one’s own strength
  6. yathā-ucitamas far as possible
  7. yathā-vittamas far as one can spend money in this connection
  8. akarotperformed
  9. brahma-sātin the Absolute Truth
  10. kṛtamdid
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 4.22

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

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 could the purpose behind one of my daily duties become more pleasing to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Choose one duty today and do it carefully within your means, with the intention of satisfying Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Daily Duties Service to KṛṣṇaThis 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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