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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 2: Dakṣa Curses Lord Śiva
4.2.184.2.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.2.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

निषिध्यमान: स सदस्यमुख्यै-

र्दक्षो गिरित्राय विसृज्य शापम् ।

तस्माद्विनिष्क्रम्य विवृद्धमन्यु-

र्जगाम कौरव्य निजं निकेतनम् ॥ १९ ॥

niṣidhyamānaḥ sa sadasya-mukhyair

dakṣo giritrāya visṛjya śāpam

tasmād viniṣkramya vivṛddha-manyur

jagāma kauravya nijaṁ niketanam

Translation

Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in spite of the requests of all the members of the sacrificial assembly, Dakṣa, in great anger, cursed Lord Śiva and then left the assembly and went back to his home.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Anger Drives Away Saintly Association

  1. 1

    Despite the assembly’s requests, Dakṣa cursed Lord Śiva and left. Anger made him reject the company of Brahmā, great sages and saintly persons.

  2. 2

    Puffed up by his position, Dakṣa thought no one could surpass him in argument. His expertise in material activities did not protect him from lust, anger and passion.

  3. 3

    Spiritual advancement requires avoiding these enemies. Lord Caitanya warned against offending Vaiṣṇavas, comparing such offenses to a mad elephant capable of horrible acts.

Key points from the purport
  • Anger is so detrimental that even a great personality like Dakṣa, out of anger, left the arena where Brahmā was presiding and all the great sages and pious and saintly persons were assembled.
  • Actually we can see that lust, anger and passion make a man crazy, even though he be as great as Dakṣa.
  • The very name Dakṣa suggests that he was expert in all material activities, but still, because of his aversion towards such a saintly personality as Śiva, he was attacked by these three enemies — anger, lust and passion.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niṣidhyamānaḥbeing requested not to
  2. saḥhe (Dakṣa)
  3. sadasya-mukhyaiḥby the members of the sacrifice
  4. dakṣaḥDakṣa
  5. giritrāyato Śiva
  6. visṛjyagiving
  7. śāpama curse
  8. tasmātfrom that place
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “lust”, “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “offenses”, “offending”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “protect”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I am angry, am I willing to listen to people who want my spiritual good?

Practice

If irritation arises today, delay your reply and listen fully to one calming suggestion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAnger Drives Away Saintly AssociationThis 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.

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