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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
4.2.304.2.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.2.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bhṛgu Munisince 4.2.30inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एष एव हि लोकानां शिव: पन्था: सनातन: ।

यं पूर्वे चानुसन्तस्थुर्यत्प्रमाणं जनार्दन: ॥ ३१ ॥

eṣa eva hi lokānāṁ

śivaḥ panthāḥ sanātanaḥ

yaṁ pūrve cānusantasthur

yat-pramāṇaṁ janārdanaḥ

Translation

The Vedas give the eternal regulative principles for auspicious advancement in human civilization which have been rigidly followed in the past. The strong evidence of this principle is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is called Janārdana, the well-wisher of all living entities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vedic Guidance Leads Us to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the father and well-wisher of all living entities. The Vedas are given for their guidance because they mistakenly seek to lord it over material nature.

  2. 2

    Vedic knowledge is apauruṣeya, not authored by a material living being. Its source is the Supreme Lord, who is free from mistakes, illusion, cheating and imperfect senses.

  3. 3

    The Vedas are a bridge across the ocean of ignorance to spiritual existence. Their purpose is to understand Kṛṣṇa, and following their principles elevates one to the highest standard of spiritual life.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore the Vedas are called apauruṣeya, for they are not written by any man or demigod, including the first living creature, Brahmā.
  • He is also one of the living beings in this material world; therefore he does not have the power to write or speak the Vedas independently.
  • The Vedas, however, are not written by any living creature within this material world.

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. eṣaḥthe Vedas
  2. evacertainly
  3. hifor
  4. lokānāmof all people
  5. śivaḥauspicious
  6. panthāḥpath
  7. sanātanaḥeternal
  8. yamwhich (Vedic path)
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.2

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching Vedic study as guidance toward understanding Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read a short passage of Bhagavad-gītā today with the intention of understanding Kṛṣṇa and serving Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVedic Guidance Leads Us to KṛṣṇaThis 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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