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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 7: The Activities of King Bharata

5.7.3 5.7.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.7.4

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स बहुविन्महीपति: पितृपितामहवदुरुवत्सलतया स्वे स्वे कर्मणि वर्तमाना: प्रजा: स्वधर्ममनुवर्तमान: पर्यपालयत् ॥ ४ ॥

sa bahuvin mahī-patiḥ pitṛ-pitāmahavad uru-vatsalatayā sve sve karmaṇi vartamānāḥ prajāḥ sva-dharmam anuvartamānaḥ paryapālayat.

Translation

Mahārāja Bharata was a very learned and experienced king on this earth. He perfectly ruled the citizens, being himself engaged in his own respective duties. Mahārāja Bharata was as affectionate to the citizens as his father and grandfather had been. Keeping them engaged in their occupational duties, he ruled the earth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Affectionate Leadership Supports Spiritual Advancement

1
Mahārāja Bharata was learned and experienced, and he faithfully performed his own duties. Like his father and grandfather, he was affectionate toward the citizens.
2
The government should keep citizens engaged in their respective occupational duties for spiritual advancement. No one should remain unemployed or unoccupied.
3
The purport describes work as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra, and spiritual life as a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha or sannyāsī. Affectionate leadership and faithful performance of duties helped society run smoothly.

Key points from the purport

It is most important that the chief executive rule the citizens by keeping them fully engaged in their respective occupational duties.
One must work as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra on the material path, and on the spiritual path, everyone should act as a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha or sannyāsī.
Although formerly the government was a monarchy, all the kings were very affectionate toward the citizens, and they strictly kept them engaged in their respective duties.

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

Compassion and attachment → Regret and vigilance. Affection becomes binding when it displaces devotion.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 5: Bharata, the deer and the birth of Jaḍa Bharata. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 7: The Activities of King Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He therefore ruled the citizens very successfully. Because he performed various yajñas to satisfy the Supreme Lord, he was personally very satisfied.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 5.7

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

saḥthat King (Mahārāja Bharata)
bahu-vitbeing very advanced in knowledge
mahī-patiḥthe ruler of the earth
pitṛfather
pitāmahagrandfather
vatexactly like
uru-vatsalatayāwith the quality of being very affectionate to the citizens
sve svein their own respective

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 5.7
In this verse: “king”, “citizens”, “government”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.7
In this verse: “duties”
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 5.7
In this verse: “father”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I combine care for others with faithful attention to my own duties?

Practice

Complete one of your duties today with deliberate care for the people it affects.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffectionate Leadership Supports Spiritual AdvancementThis 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 5.7.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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