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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva
4.24.54.24.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.24.6

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.24.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

राज्ञां वृत्तिं करादानदण्डशुल्कादिदारुणाम् ।

मन्यमानो दीर्घसत्‍त्रव्याजेन विससर्ज ह ॥ ६ ॥

rājñāṁ vṛttiṁ karādāna-

daṇḍa-śulkādi-dāruṇām

manyamāno dīrgha-sattra-

vyājena visasarja ha

Translation

Whenever Antardhāna, the supreme royal power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens or fine them severely, he was not willing to do so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the performance of different sacrifices.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Royal Duty Can Be Unpleasant

  1. 1

    A king sometimes has to perform undesirable actions simply because they belong to his duty. The purport explains that kṣatriyas face such responsibilities.

  2. 2

    Antardhāna was unhappy exacting taxes, punishing citizens for crimes and imposing severe fines.

  3. 3

    On the plea of performing sacrifices, he retired from royal power at a very early age. He then engaged in sacrifices.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clear herein that the king sometimes has to perform duties which are not very desirable just because he is the king.
  • Similarly, Arjuna was not at all willing to fight because fighting or killing one’s own kinsmen and family members is not at all desirable.
  • Mahārāja Antardhāna was not very happy while exacting taxes or punishing the citizens for their criminal activities; therefore, on the plea of performing sacrifices, he retired from the royal majestic power at a very early age.

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

Worldly absorption → Sobering awareness. The mind's identification with material life becomes visible.

Chapters 24–29 of Canto 4: Śiva's song and the allegory of Purañjana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva

Lord Śiva mercifully teaches the Pracetās prayers glorifying the Supreme Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājñāmof the kings
  2. vṛttimsource of livelihood
  3. karataxes
  4. ādānarealization
  5. daṇḍapunishment
  6. śulkafines
  7. ādietc.
  8. dāruṇāmwhich are very severe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “duties”, “duty”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.24

    In this verse: “citizens”, “king”

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

Can I distinguish an unpleasant responsibility from one that is unnecessary?

Practice

Identify one duty you find unpleasant and write down why it still needs attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRoyal Duty Can Be UnpleasantThis 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 4.24.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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