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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
4.2.244.2.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.25

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

गिर: श्रुताया: पुष्पिण्या मधुगन्धेन भूरिणा ।

मथ्ना चोन्मथितात्मान: सम्मुह्यन्तु हरद्विष: ॥ २५ ॥

giraḥ śrutāyāḥ puṣpiṇyā

madhu-gandhena bhūriṇā

mathnā conmathitātmānaḥ

sammuhyantu hara-dviṣaḥ

Translation

May those who are envious of Lord Śiva, being attracted by the flowery language of the enchanting Vedic promises, and who have thus become dull, always remain attached to fruitive activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Heavenly Promises Offer Temporary Sweetness

  1. 1

    Vedic promises of elevation to higher planets offer a better standard of material life. The purport compares these promises to flowery language.

  2. 2

    A flower has fragrance and honey, but neither lasts forever. Likewise, the material happiness promised is not eternal.

  3. 3

    The curse addresses those envious of Lord Śiva who are enchanted by these promises. It condemns them to continued attachment to fruitive activities.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedic promises of elevation to higher planets for a better standard of materialistic life are compared to flowery language because in a flower there is certainly an aroma but that aroma does not last for a very long time.
  • In a flower there is honey, but that honey is not eternal.

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. giraḥwords
  2. śrutāyāḥof the Vedas
  3. puṣpiṇyāḥflowery
  4. madhu-gandhenawith the scent of honey
  5. bhūriṇāprofuse
  6. mathnāenchanting
  7. caand
  8. unmathita-ātmānaḥwhose minds have become dull
  9. sammuhyantulet them remain attached
  10. hara-dviṣaḥenvious of Lord Śiva
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”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What temporary reward attracts me as though it could give lasting happiness?

Practice

Write down one material reward you desire and remind yourself that its sweetness will not last forever.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHeavenly Promises Offer Temporary SweetnessThis 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 4.2.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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