FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.17.20

प्रहरन्ति न वै स्त्रीषु कृताग:स्वपि जन्तव: किमुत त्वद्विधा राजन् करुणा दीनवत्सला: ॥ २० ॥
praharanti na vai strīṣu
[praharanti na vai streeshu]
kṛtāgaḥsv api jantavaḥ
[kritaagahsv api jantavah]
kim uta tvad-vidhā rājan
[kim uta tvad-vidhaa raajan]
karuṇā dīna-vatsalāḥ
[karunaa deena-vatsalaah]
Word-for-word
praharanti — strike na — never vai — certainly strīṣu — women kṛta-āgaḥsu — having committed sinful activities api — although jantavaḥ — human beings kim uta — then what to speak of tvat-vidhāḥ — personalities like you rājan — O King karuṇāḥ — merciful dīna-vatsalāḥ — affectionate to the poor.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
praharanti na vai strīṣu
praharanti
strike
na
never
vai
certainly
strīṣu
women
kṛtāgaḥsv api jantavaḥ
kṛta-āgaḥsu
having committed sinful activities
api
although
jantavaḥ
human beings
kim uta tvad-vidhā rājan
kim uta
then what to speak of
tvat-vidhāḥ
personalities like you
rājan
O King
karuṇā dīna-vatsalāḥ
karuṇāḥ
merciful
dīna-vatsalāḥ
affectionate to the poor.
Even if a woman does commit some sinful activity, no one should place his hand upon her. And what to speak of you, dear King, who are so merciful. You are a protector, and you are affectionate to the poor.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
People never beat even sinful women. O King! What to speak of a person like you who are merciful and affectionate to the wretched!
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Even a sinful woman shouldn't be touched — and you are so merciful, dear King. The vulnerable invoke the protector's own self-conception; this is a powerful and sometimes manipulative move.
Reflection Questions
  • When is invoking another's mercy legitimate appeal, and when is it manipulation?
  • Where do I let my own self-conception be weaponized against my proper action?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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