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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 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras
4.22.554.22.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.56

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

राजेत्यधान्नामधेयं सोमराज इवापर: ।

सूर्यवद्विसृजन् गृह्णन् प्रतपंश्च भुवो वसु ॥ ५६ ॥

rājety adhān nāmadheyaṁ

soma-rāja ivāparaḥ

sūryavad visṛjan gṛhṇan

pratapaṁś ca bhuvo vasu

Translation

Mahārāja Pṛthu became as celebrated a king as Soma-rāja, the king of the moon. He was also powerful and exacting, just like the sun-god, who distributes heat and light and at the same time exacts all the planetary waters.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Combine Firm Protection With Gentle Care

  1. 1

    The sun and moon illustrate the Supreme Lord’s perfect plan for maintaining the universe. Both have particular influences that maintain order.

  2. 2

    Like the sun, Pṛthu Mahārāja gave protection while also exacting taxes and issuing strong orders. No one had the power to disobey him.

  3. 3

    Like soothing moonshine after a day’s labor, he also pleased everyone. His strong rule was accompanied by care for the citizens.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse Mahārāja Pṛthu is compared to the kings of the moon and sun.
  • The sun distributes heat and light and at the same time exacts water from all planets.
  • Like the sun-god, Pṛthu Mahārāja distributed his heat and light to give protection to his kingdom, for without heat and light no one can exist.

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. rājāthe King
  2. itithus
  3. adhāttook up
  4. nāmadheyamof the name
  5. soma-rājaḥthe king of the moon planet
  6. ivalike
  7. aparaḥon the other hand
  8. sūrya-vatlike the sun-god
3

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 4.22

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protection”

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 combine firmness in my responsibilities with behavior that comforts others?

Practice

Carry out one responsibility firmly today, while speaking gently to everyone involved.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCombine Firm Protection With Gentle CareThis 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 4.22.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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