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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
4.2.224.2.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.23

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

बुद्ध्या पराभिध्यायिन्या विस्मृतात्मगति: पशु: ।

स्त्रीकाम: सोऽस्त्वतितरां दक्षो बस्तमुखोऽचिरात् ॥ २३ ॥

buddhyā parābhidhyāyinyā

vismṛtātma-gatiḥ paśuḥ

strī-kāmaḥ so ’stv atitarāṁ

dakṣo basta-mukho ’cirāt

Translation

Dakṣa has accepted the body as all in all. Therefore, since he has forgotten the viṣṇu-pāda, or viṣṇu-gati, and is attached to sex life only, within a short time he will have the face of a goat.

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.

Bodily Attachment Makes One Forget Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    Dakṣa has accepted the body as all in all. The verse connects this outlook with his forgetfulness of viṣṇu-pāda, or viṣṇu-gati.

  2. 2

    His attachment to sex life is described as displacing remembrance of Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    The curse declares that Dakṣa will soon have the face of a goat. It presents a grave consequence of his bodily absorption.

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. buddhyāby intelligence
  2. para-abhidhyāyinyāby accepting the body as the self
  3. vismṛta-ātma-gatiḥhaving forgotten the knowledge of Viṣṇu
  4. paśuḥan animal
  5. strī-kāmaḥattached to sex life
  6. saḥhe (Dakṣa)
  7. astulet
  8. atitarāmexcessive
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: “attached”, “attachment”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When does concern for bodily pleasure push remembrance of Viṣṇu aside?

Practice

Pause once today when seeking bodily pleasure and take a moment to remember Viṣṇu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBodily Attachment Makes One Forget ViṣṇuThis 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 4.2.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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