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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 26: King Purañjana Goes to the Forest to Hunt, and His Queen Becomes Angry
4.26.54.26.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.26.6

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 4.26.1-3inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listener

तीर्थेषु प्रतिद‍ृष्टेषु राजा मेध्यान् पशून् वने ।

यावदर्थमलं लुब्धो हन्यादिति नियम्यते ॥ ६ ॥

tīrtheṣu pratidṛṣṭeṣu

rājā medhyān paśūn vane

yāvad-artham alaṁ lubdho

hanyād iti niyamyate

Translation

If a king is too attracted to eating flesh, he may, according to the directions of the revealed scriptures on sacrificial performances, go to the forest and kill some animals that are recommended for killing. One is not allowed to kill animals unnecessarily or without restrictions. The Vedas regulate animal-killing to stop the extravagance of foolish men influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Regulation Restrains Uncontrolled Sense Enjoyment

  1. 1

    The Vedas regulate animal-killing to restrain people influenced by passion and ignorance. Restricted permission is not approval of unnecessary or unrestricted killing.

  2. 2

    Having senses does not justify satisfying every desire. The purport warns against teachers who dismiss the scriptures and promise immediate spiritual advancement merely by their touch.

  3. 3

    Scriptural regulations are meant for human beings, who are responsible for their actions. One should restrict sense enjoyment according to Vedic principles rather than act according to lusty desires.

Key points from the purport
  • The question may be raised why a living being should be restricted in sense gratification.
  • If a king, to learn how to kill, may go to the forest and kill animals, why should a living entity, who has been given senses, not be allowed unrestricted sense gratification?
  • The Vedas are not meant for the animals, but for the understanding of human society.

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 26: King Purañjana Goes to the Forest to Hunt, and His Queen Becomes Angry

Purañjana kills innocent animals while hunting, then returns and tries to soothe his distressed queen.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tīrtheṣuin holy places
  2. pratidṛṣṭeṣuaccording to the direction of the Vedas
  3. rājāa king
  4. medhyānfit for sacrifice
  5. paśūnanimals
  6. vanein the forest
  7. yāvatso much as
  8. arthamrequired
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 4.26

    In this verse: “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.26

    In this verse: “lusty”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.26

    In this verse: “principles”

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

Do I treat a restriction as guidance, or look for permission to indulge further?

Practice

When one urge for unnecessary sense enjoyment arises today, pause and refrain from acting on it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRegulation Restrains Uncontrolled Sense EnjoymentThis 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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