1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī
4.2.354.3.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.1

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.3.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

सदा विद्विषतोरेवं कालो वै ध्रियमाणयो: ।

जामातु: श्वशुरस्यापि सुमहानतिचक्रमे ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sadā vidviṣator evaṁ

kālo vai dhriyamāṇayoḥ

jāmātuḥ śvaśurasyāpi

sumahān aticakrame

Translation

Maitreya continued: In this manner the tension between the father-in-law and son-in-law, Dakṣa and Lord Śiva, continued for a considerably long period.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pride Prolongs Conflict

  1. 1

    The tension between Dakṣa and Lord Śiva continued for a very long time. Dakṣa held a high position and was very proud.

  2. 2

    Every sacrifice is intended to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. The principal demigods are generally invited to participate.

  3. 3

    Dakṣa excluded Lord Śiva from another sacrifice because of their tension. The purport identifies this exclusion as the chief reason behind Satī’s later giving up her body.

Key points from the purport
  • The previous chapter has already explained that Vidura questioned the sage Maitreya as to the cause of the misunderstanding between Lord Śiva and Dakṣa.
  • The chief reason for Satī’s giving up her body was that her father, Dakṣa, began another sacrificial performance, to which Lord Śiva was not invited at all.
  • But in the tension between the father-in-law and son-in-law, Dakṣa began another yajña performance, to which Lord Śiva was not invited.

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 3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī

Satī wishes to attend her father’s sacrifice; Lord Śiva warns her about envy and hurtful words.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. sadāconstantly
  3. vidviṣatoḥthe tension
  4. evamin this manner
  5. kālaḥtime
  6. vaicertainly
  7. dhriyamāṇayoḥcontinued to bear
  8. jāmātuḥof the son-in-law
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “father-in-law”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “proud”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is pride making it difficult for me to resolve a disagreement?

Practice

Take one small step toward resolving a lingering disagreement, such as offering a respectful greeting.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPride Prolongs ConflictThis 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 4.3.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories