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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
4.2.274.2.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.28

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

भवव्रतधरा ये च ये च तान्समनुव्रता: ।

पाषण्डिनस्ते भवन्तु सच्छास्त्रपरिपन्थिन: ॥ २८ ॥

bhava-vrata-dharā ye ca

ye ca tān samanuvratāḥ

pāṣaṇḍinas te bhavantu

sac-chāstra-paripanthinaḥ

Translation

One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Śiva or who follows such principles will certainly become an atheist and be diverted from transcendental scriptural injunctions.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Scripture Rather Than Imitation

  1. 1

    The purport warns against imitating Lord Śiva by taking intoxicants. Such imitation turns one against the principles of Vedic regulation.

  2. 2

    Bhṛgu's curse includes following Māyāvāda teachings that attempt to establish the Supreme Personality of Godhead as impersonal. The purport identifies this doctrine as asat-śāstra.

  3. 3

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Nārada-pañcarātra are authorized sat-śāstra. They lead one toward God realization rather than away from the scriptural conclusion.

Key points from the purport
  • It is sometimes seen that devotees of Lord Śiva imitate the characteristics of Lord Śiva.
  • Thus it is generally found that the worshipers of Lord Śiva are Māyāvādī followers.
  • Bhṛgu Muni cursed that persons who worshiped Lord Śiva would become followers of this Māyāvāda asat-śāstra, which attempts to establish that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is impersonal.

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. bhava-vrata-dharāḥtaking a vow to satisfy Lord Śiva
  2. yewho
  3. caand
  4. yewho
  5. caand
  6. tānsuch principles
  7. samanuvratāḥfollowing
  8. pāṣaṇḍinaḥatheists
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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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyāvāda”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I following authorized spiritual guidance, or merely imitating outward behavior?

Practice

Read a short passage from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today with the intention of understanding its guidance, not copying appearances.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.2's connections

Live this todayFollow Scripture Rather Than ImitationThis 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 4.2.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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