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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
4.2.124.2.14-15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.13

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

लुप्तक्रियायाशुचये मानिने भिन्नसेतवे ।

अनिच्छन्नप्यदां बालां शूद्रायेवोशतीं गिरम् ॥ १३ ॥

lupta-kriyāyāśucaye

mānine bhinna-setave

anicchann apy adāṁ bālāṁ

śūdrāyevośatīṁ giram

Translation

I had no desire to give my daughter to this person, who has broken all rules of civility. Because of not observing the required rules and regulations, he is impure, but I was obliged to hand over my daughter to him just as one teaches the messages of the Vedas to a śūdra.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Qualification and Dakṣa’s Judgment

  1. 1

    The purport explains that Vedic study requires brahminical qualifications. It compares this preparation to completing lower grades before entering a law college.

  2. 2

    According to Dakṣa’s estimation, Śiva was unclean and unworthy to marry Satī, who was enlightened, beautiful and chaste.

  3. 3

    The term bhinna-setave refers to breaking the regulations of good behavior by not following Vedic principles. Dakṣa therefore regarded the marriage as improper.

Key points from the purport
  • A śūdra is forbidden to take lessons from the Vedas because a śūdra, due to his unclean habits, is not worthy to hear such instructions.
  • According to the estimation of Dakṣa, Śiva was unclean in habits and not worthy to have the hand of his daughter, Satī, who was so enlightened, beautiful and chaste.
  • In other words, according to Dakṣa the entire transaction of the marriage of his daughter with Śiva was not in order.

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

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. lupta-kriyāyanot observing rules and regulations
  2. aśucayeimpure
  3. mānineproud
  4. bhinna-setavehaving broken all rules of civility
  5. anicchannot desiring
  6. apialthough
  7. adāmhanded over
  8. bālāmmy daughter
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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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “principles”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What attention am I giving to cleanliness and good behavior as preparation for spiritual study?

Practice

Before studying today, clean your study space and take a moment to prepare yourself carefully.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayQualification and Dakṣa’s JudgmentThis 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 4.2.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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