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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
4.2.194.2.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.20

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

विज्ञाय शापं गिरिशानुगाग्रणी-

र्नन्दीश्वरो रोषकषायदूषित: ।

दक्षाय शापं विससर्ज दारुणं

ये चान्वमोदंस्तदवाच्यतां द्विजा: ॥ २० ॥

vijñāya śāpaṁ giriśānugāgraṇīr

nandīśvaro roṣa-kaṣāya-dūṣitaḥ

dakṣāya śāpaṁ visasarja dāruṇaṁ

ye cānvamodaṁs tad-avācyatāṁ dvijāḥ

Translation

Upon understanding that Lord Śiva had been cursed, Nandīśvara, one of Lord Śiva’s principal associates, became greatly angry. His eyes became red, and he prepared to curse Dakṣa and all the brāhmaṇas present there who had tolerated Dakṣa’s cursing Śiva in harsh words.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Śiva’s Example of Tolerance

  1. 1

    Nandīśvara became greatly angry when Lord Śiva was cursed. Yet Śiva himself remained silent and tolerant, although he could have cursed Dakṣa.

  2. 2

    The purport says it was right for a follower not to tolerate an insult to his master. Still, Nandīśvara should not have cursed the brāhmaṇas present.

  3. 3

    The material atmosphere is so unsteady that even prominent personalities can become infected by anger. Those who were not strong enough forgot their positions, and cursing and countercursing followed.

Key points from the purport
  • When Dakṣa cursed Lord Śiva in harsh words, some of the brāhmaṇas present might have enjoyed it because some brāhmaṇas do not very much admire Lord Śiva.
  • Nandīśvara was affected by the cursing, but he did not follow the example of Lord Śiva, who was also present there.
  • Although Lord Śiva could also have cursed Dakṣa in a similar way, he was silent and tolerant; but Nandīśvara, his follower, was not tolerant.

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. vijñāyaunderstanding
  2. śāpamthe curse
  3. giriśaof Śiva
  4. anuga-agraṇīḥone of the principal associates
  5. nandīśvaraḥNandīśvara
  6. roṣaanger
  7. kaṣāyared
  8. dūṣitaḥblinded
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I respond to an insult without spreading anger to others?

Practice

When you hear harsh words today, pause before responding and avoid blaming everyone present.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Śiva’s Example of ToleranceThis 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 4.2.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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