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
4.3.104.3.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Satīsince 4.3.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

त्वय्येतदाश्चर्यमजात्ममायया

विनिर्मितं भाति गुणत्रयात्मकम् ।

तथाप्यहं योषिदतत्त्वविच्च ते

दीना दिद‍ृक्षे भव मे भवक्षितिम् ॥ ११ ॥

tvayy etad āścaryam ajātma-māyayā

vinirmitaṁ bhāti guṇa-trayātmakam

tathāpy ahaṁ yoṣid atattva-vic ca te

dīnā didṛkṣe bhava me bhava-kṣitim

Translation

This manifested cosmos is a wonderful creation of the interaction of the three material modes, or the external energy of the Supreme Lord. This truth is fully known to you. Yet I am but a poor woman, and, as you know, I am not conversant with the truth. Therefore I wish to see my birthplace once more.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Limits of Material Attachment

  1. 1

    The manifested cosmos arises through the interaction of the three material modes, the Supreme Lord’s external energy. Satī acknowledged that Lord Śiva fully understood this truth.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva was self-realized and was not captivated by the glittering material manifestation. The purport calls this manifestation a perverted reflection and places actual reality in the spiritual world.

  3. 3

    Satī admitted that she lacked such realization and remained attracted to her birthplace. The purport warns that bodily attachment and being controlled by sensual attraction obstruct spiritual advancement.

Key points from the purport
  • Dākṣāyaṇī, Satī, knew very well that her husband, Lord Śiva, was not very much interested in the glaring manifestation of the material world, which is caused by the interaction of the three modes of nature.
  • Those who are under the spell of the external energy accept this manifestation to be fact, whereas those who are advanced in spiritual realization know that it is illusion.
  • Satī might have heard all this many times from her husband, Lord Śiva, but because she was a woman, yoṣit, she still hankered after the same material objects of affection.

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. tvayiin you
  2. etatthis
  3. āścaryamwonderful
  4. ajaO Lord Śiva
  5. ātma-māyayāby the external energy of the Supreme Lord
  6. vinirmitamcreated
  7. bhātiappears
  8. guṇa-traya-ātmakambeing an interaction of the three modes of material nature
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 4.3

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

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

Which attachment makes it hardest for me to remember that spiritual reality lies beyond bodily relationships?

Practice

Identify one bodily attachment today and briefly reflect on its temporary nature.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Limits of Material AttachmentThis 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 4.3.11? 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