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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 5 · Chapter 10: The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa
5.10.225.10.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.23

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Rahūgaṇasince 5.10.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

शास्ताभिगोप्ता नृपति: प्रजानांय: किङ्करो वै न पिनष्टि पिष्टम् । स्वधर्ममाराधनमच्युतस्ययदीहमानो विजहात्यघौघम् ॥ २३ ॥

śāstābhigoptā nṛpatiḥ prajānāṁ

yaḥ kiṅkaro vai na pinaṣṭi piṣṭam

sva-dharmam ārādhanam acyutasya

yad īhamāno vijahāty aghaugham

Translation

My dear sir, you have said that the relationship between the king and the subject or between the master and the servant are not eternal, but although such relationships are temporary, when a person takes the position of a king his duty is to rule the citizens and punish those who are disobedient to the laws. By punishing them, he teaches the citizens to obey the laws of the state. Again, you have said that punishing a person who is deaf and dumb is like chewing the chewed or grinding the pulp; that is to say, there is no benefit in it. However, if one is engaged in his own occupational duty as ordered by the Supreme Lord, his sinful activities are certainly diminished. Therefore if one is engaged in his occupational duty by force, he benefits because he can vanquish all his sinful activities in that way.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Engage in Kṛṣṇa’s Service

  1. 1

    Every living being is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. Through forgetfulness, one serves māyā instead and cannot be happy in that service.

  2. 2

    Service to Lord Kṛṣṇa frees one from material contamination and sinful activity. Detachment from material activities frees one from fear and anger.

  3. 3

    A ruler’s best service is to help citizens become Kṛṣṇa conscious. Carrying a palanquin for the King’s sense gratification differs from carrying one in the Lord’s service, which is beneficial.

Key points from the purport
  • The duty of the king is to rule his citizens in such a way that they can become Kṛṣṇa conscious.
  • Unfortunately the king or president engages people in sense gratification instead of the Lord’s service, and such activities are certainly not beneficial for anyone.
  • In this godless civilization, if a president engages people somehow or other in devotional service or the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he renders the very best service to the citizens.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 5.10.23 quotesBG 4.10

This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.10): vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhāḥ.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Misjudgment → Humility and insight. Spiritual insight hides behind social appearances.

Chapters 10–14 of Canto 5: Jaḍa Bharata instructs Rahūgaṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He now wanted to understand the deep meaning of the philosophical words used by Jaḍa Bharata, and with great sincerity he begged his pardon. He admitted that if one offends the lotus feet of a pure devotee he is certainly punished by the trident of Lord Śiva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śāstāthe governor
  2. abhigoptāa well-wisher of the citizens as a father is the well-wisher of his children
  3. nṛ-patiḥthe king
  4. prajānāmof the citizens
  5. yaḥone who
  6. kiṅkaraḥorder carrier
  7. vaiindeed
  8. nanot
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 5.10

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”, “king’s”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “māyā”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “sinful”, “contamination”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my work directed toward sense gratification or toward serving Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today specifically for devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEngage in Kṛṣṇa’s ServiceThis 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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