FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.16.11

दुरासदो दुर्विषह आसन्नोऽपि विदूरवत् नैवाभिभवितुं शक्यो वेनारण्युत्थितोऽनल: ॥ ११ ॥
durāsado durviṣaha
[duraasado durvishaha]
āsanno ’pi vidūravat
[aasanno ’pi vidooravat]
naivābhibhavituṁ śakyo
[naivaabhibhavitum shakyo]
venāraṇy-utthito ’nalaḥ
[venaarany-utthito ’nalah]
Word-for-word
durāsadaḥ — unapproachable durviṣahaḥ — unbearable āsannaḥ — being approached api — although vidūra-vat — as if far away na — never eva — certainly abhibhavitum — to be overcome śakyaḥ — able vena — King Vena araṇi — the wood that produces fire utthitaḥ — being born of analaḥ — fire.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
durāsado durviṣaha
durāsadaḥ
unapproachable
durviṣahaḥ
unbearable
āsanno ’pi vidūravat
āsannaḥ
being approached
api
although
vidūra-vat
as if far away
naivābhibhavituṁ śakyo
na
never
eva
certainly
abhibhavitum
to be overcome
śakyaḥ
able
venāraṇy-utthito ’nalaḥ
vena
King Vena
araṇi
the wood that produces fire
utthitaḥ
being born of
analaḥ
fire.
King Pṛthu was born of the dead body of King Vena as fire is produced from araṇi wood. Thus King Pṛthu will always remain just like fire, and his enemies will not be able to approach him. Indeed, he will be unbearable to his enemies, for although staying very near him, they will never be able to approach him but will have to remain as if far away. No one will be able to overcome the strength of King Pṛthu.
Purport

Araṇi wood is a kind of fuel used to ignite fire by friction. At the time of performing sacrifices, one can ignite a fire from araṇi wood. Although born of his dead father, King Pṛthu would still remain just like fire. Just as fire is not easily approached, King Pṛthu would be unapproachable by his enemies, even though they would appear to be very near him.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
His enemies cannot approach, and if they do, they cannot tolerate his strength. Though present, he seems to be far away. He cannot be conquered. He is like fire, arising from the araṇi wood of Vena. He is not near the evil enemies and when close he is intolerable to them. The best of enemies cannot tolerate him. He arose from churning the araṇi wood in the form of Vena.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Born of dead Vena like fire from araṇi wood, Pṛthu will be unbearable to enemies though they remain near, like moths to a flame. Right leadership doesn't have to chase enemies; they consume themselves coming close.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do I run after enemies who would already be destroying themselves by proximity?
  • What flame quality could I cultivate that doesn't have to leave its place to be powerful?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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