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

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Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 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 4 · Chapter 2: Dakṣa Curses Lord Śiva
4.2.114.2.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.12

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.2.4inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

गृहीत्वा मृगशावाक्ष्या: पाणिं मर्कटलोचन: ।

प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादार्हे वाचाप्यकृत नोचितम् ॥ १२ ॥

gṛhītvā mṛga-śāvākṣyāḥ

pāṇiṁ markaṭa-locanaḥ

pratyutthānābhivādārhe

vācāpy akṛta nocitam

Translation

He has eyes like a monkey’s, yet he has married my daughter, whose eyes are just like those of a deer cub. Nevertheless he did not stand up to receive me, nor did he think it fit to welcome me with sweet words.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unmet Expectations Become Harsh Words

  1. 1

    Dakṣa contrasted Śiva’s eyes with his daughter’s eyes, using an insulting comparison for Śiva.

  2. 2

    He complained that Śiva had not stood up to receive him.

  3. 3

    Dakṣa also complained that Śiva had not welcomed him with sweet words. His speech centered on the honor he expected.

How it feels

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Dakṣa Curses Lord Śiva

Dakṣa insults and curses Lord Śiva at a great sacrificial assembly.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gṛhītvātaking
  2. mṛga-śāvalike a deer cub
  3. akṣyāḥof her who has eyes
  4. pāṇimthe hand
  5. markaṭaof a monkey
  6. locanaḥhe who has the eyes
  7. pratyutthānaof rising from one’s seat
  8. abhivādathe honor
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “sweet”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I feel overlooked, do my words become harsh?

Practice

Welcome someone with a few sweet words today, without asking for honor in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnmet Expectations Become Harsh WordsThis 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 4.2.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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