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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
4.22.544.22.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.55

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

गोपीथाय जगत्सृष्टे: काले स्वे

स्वेऽच्युतात्मक: ।

मनोवाग्वृत्तिभि: सौम्यैर्गुणै: संरञ्जयन्

प्रजा: ॥ ५५ ॥

gopīthāya jagat-sṛṣṭeḥ

kāle sve sve ’cyutātmakaḥ

mano-vāg-vṛttibhiḥ saumyair

guṇaiḥ saṁrañjayan prajāḥ

Translation

Since Mahārāja Pṛthu was a perfect devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he wanted to protect the Lord’s creation by pleasing the various citizens according to their various desires. Therefore Pṛthu Mahārāja used to please them in all respects by his words, mentality, works and gentle behavior.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Others and Elevate Their Consciousness

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja understood the mentality of his citizens and pleased them through his words, thoughts, work and gentle behavior. His citizens were satisfied and lived in peace.

  2. 2

    He ruled as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and knew that the Lord’s creation must be protected intelligently.

  3. 3

    A ruler should provide for the citizens’ desires while elevating them to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The ultimate aim is to help them return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • As will be explained in the next verse, Pṛthu Mahārāja used to please all kinds of citizens by his extraordinary capacity to understand the mentality of others.
  • The word acyutātmakaḥ is significant in this verse, for Mahārāja Pṛthu used to rule this planet as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Atheists cannot understand the purpose behind the creation.

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. gopīthāyafor the protection of
  2. jagat-sṛṣṭeḥof the supreme creator
  3. kālein due course of time
  4. sve sveown
  5. acyuta-ātmakaḥbeing Kṛṣṇa conscious
  6. manaḥmind
  7. vākwords
  8. vṛttibhiḥby occupation
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “citizens”, “ruler”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “protect”, “protected”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 I care for someone’s present needs while supporting their growth in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Listen carefully to one person’s needs today, then respond with gentle words and one practical act of help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Others and Elevate Their 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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