The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa

Lord Śiva is pacified, Dakṣa acknowledges his offense, and Lord Viṣṇu accepts the sacrifice.

Themes of SB 4.7Moha5 Dainya3 Karuṇā3 Śuddhi3 from its story phase

Connected storiesBhṛgu MuniBharata Mahārāja and Jaḍa BharataThe four KumārasPrahlāda Mahārāja

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraEvery voice in this chapter ›

Turning points hereSatī· The sacrifice is restored

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Lord Śiva, Vīrabhadra, Dakṣa, Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu

The story · Hearing of Satī’s death, Lord Śiva became greatly angry, and his soldiers attacked the sacrifice. They destroyed the arena, and Vīrabhadra beheaded Dakṣa. Brahmā and the demigods approached Lord Śiva, and Brahmā asked him to show compassion toward those bewildered by material illusion. Pacified, Lord Śiva returned with them to the sacrificial place, where Dakṣa acknowledged his offense and accepted the punishment as mercy. Lord Viṣṇu appeared and accepted the offerings, and Dakṣa worshiped Him, then separately worshiped Brahmā and Lord Śiva.

What it teaches · Dakṣa recognizes mercy even in correction for his offense. Lord Viṣṇu is the enjoyer of all sacrifices and the Supersoul of all living entities.

SB 4.6.49 SB 4.7.13 SB 4.7.49 Read chapter 5 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Bhṛgu Muni

SB 10.89 · Bhṛgu’s test and the brāhmaṇa’s sons SB 4.13–14 · King Vena rejects good counsel

What it teaches · The chapter identifies tolerance as a sure sign of greatness and establishes Lord Viṣṇu’s supremacy. Arjuna’s unsuccessful search also shows the limits of even an extraordinary warrior’s independent power.

As for Bhṛgu, he will have the beard from the goat’s head.
In the verse · SB 4.7.5 (Text 5)

Thereafter, Bhṛgu, the chief of the great sages, invited Lord Śiva to come to the sacrificial arena.
In the verse · SB 4.7.7 (Text 7)

Read the story in SB 10.89

Bharata Mahārāja and Jaḍa Bharata

SB 5.7 · Bharata’s devoted rule and retirement SB 5.8 · Bharata’s attachment to a deer SB 5.9 · Jaḍa Bharata’s hidden devotion

What it teaches · Bharata directed both his royal duties and his retired life toward pleasing the Supreme Lord. Constant devotional service increased his love for Kṛṣṇa.

There are many instances of this in Vedic history, such as the case of Mahārāja Bharata.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.7.9 (Text 9)

Read the story in SB 5.7

The four Kumāras

SB 3.15–16 · The doorkeepers’ fall SB 4.21–23 · Pṛthu’s life of devoted service SB 11.13 · The Lord teaches as Haṁsa

What it teaches · The Lord’s conduct shows how dearly He values the brāhmaṇas and how seriously He regards disrespect toward them. Even while facing punishment, the doorkeepers sought the shelter of remembering Him.

At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planets, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation.
In the verse · SB 4.7.42 (Text 42)

When You vibrated transcendental sound in that gigantic form of a boar, the sound was accepted as a sacrificial hymn, and great sages like Sanaka meditated upon it and offered prayers for Your glorification.
In the verse · SB 4.7.46 (Text 46)

Read the story in SB 3.15–16

Prahlāda Mahārāja

SB 7.5 · Prahlāda remains faithful SB 7.6 · Prahlāda teaches his schoolmates SB 7.7 · Prahlāda hears within the womb

What it teaches · Prahlāda’s devotion does not depend on his teachers’ approval or his father’s favor. His spiritual understanding makes him equal toward everyone.

Similarly, there is a statement by Prahlāda Mahārāja that those who are always merged in the ocean of the nectar of describing the Lord’s pastimes are liberated and have no fear of the material condition of life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.7.35 (Text 35)

Prahlāda Mahārāja said that even though temporary, the body can give us the highest perfectional achievement.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.7.44 (Text 44)

Read the story in SB 7.5

Arjuna and Aśvatthāmā

SB 1.7 · Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā

What it teaches · The discussion brings together the gravity of killing innocent children and concern for the grief of others. Kṛṣṇa guides Arjuna as he faces the question of punishment.

This was exemplified in Arjuna’s treatment of Aśvatthāmā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.7.13 (Text 13)

Read the story in SB 1.7

Kardama Muni

SB 3.21–22 · Kardama marries Devahūti SB 3.23 · Devahūti asks for lasting solace

What it teaches · Kardama kept devotional service as the aim beyond household life. Manu likewise passed his time thinking of Vāsudeva and engaging in matters concerning Him.

Her sister, Devahūti, was married to Kardama Muni, and Kapiladeva, the Personality of Godhead, became her son.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.7.36 (Text 36)

Read the story in SB 3.21–22

Other Bhāgavatam verses Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes here

SB 1.8.26Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit SavedQuoted in the purport to SB 4.7.37

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