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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
4.22.604.22.62

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.61

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

कन्दर्प इव सौन्दर्ये मनस्वी मृगराडिव ।

वात्सल्ये मनुवन्नृणां प्रभुत्वे भगवानज: ॥ ६१ ॥

kandarpa iva saundarye

manasvī mṛga-rāḍ iva

vātsalye manuvan nṛṇāṁ

prabhutve bhagavān ajaḥ

Translation

In his bodily beauty he was just like Cupid, and in his thoughtfulness he was like a lion. In his affection he was just like Svāyambhuva Manu, and in his ability to control he was like Lord Brahmā.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Thoughtfulness and Affection Alongside Authority

  1. 1

    Pṛthu Mahārāja’s bodily beauty was compared to Cupid’s.

  2. 2

    In thoughtfulness he was like a lion, and in affection he was like Svāyambhuva Manu.

  3. 3

    His ability to control was compared to Lord Brahmā’s. Affection and authority were both present in him.

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. kandarpaḥCupid
  2. ivalike
  3. saundaryein beauty
  4. manasvīin thoughtfulness
  5. mṛga-rāṭ ivalike the king of the animals, the lion
  6. vātsalyein affection
  7. manu-vatlike Svāyambhuva Manu
  8. nṛṇāmof human society
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

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 show more thoughtfulness and affection when I have responsibility for others?

Practice

Before giving someone an instruction today, pause to consider how to express it with affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThoughtfulness and Affection Alongside AuthorityThis 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 4.22.61? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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