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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 3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī
4.3.124.3.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.13

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Satīsince 4.3.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कथं सुताया: पितृगेहकौतुकं

निशम्य देह: सुरवर्य नेङ्गते ।

अनाहुता अप्यभियन्ति सौहृदं

भर्तुर्गुरोर्देहकृतश्च केतनम् ॥ १३ ॥

kathaṁ sutāyāḥ pitṛ-geha-kautukaṁ

niśamya dehaḥ sura-varya neṅgate

anāhutā apy abhiyanti sauhṛdaṁ

bhartur guror deha-kṛtaś ca ketanam

Translation

O best of the demigods, how can the body of a daughter remain undisturbed when she hears that some festive event is taking place in her father’s house? Even though you may be considering that I have not been invited, there is no harm if one goes to the house of one’s friend, husband, spiritual master or father without invitation.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Satī Appeals to Family Closeness

  1. 1

    Satī asks how a daughter can remain undisturbed when she hears of a festival at her father’s house.

  2. 2

    She acknowledges that she has not been invited, but argues that this need not prevent her visit.

  3. 3

    In her appeal, she says one may visit a friend, husband, spiritual master or father without an invitation.

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. kathamhow
  2. sutāyāḥof a daughter
  3. pitṛ-geha-kautukamthe festival in the house of her father
  4. niśamyahearing
  5. dehaḥthe body
  6. sura-varyaO best of the demigods
  7. nanot
  8. iṅgatedisturbed
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father’s”

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

How does affection for family influence my desire to join their gatherings?

Practice

Take a moment today to acknowledge your affection for a close family member.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySatī Appeals to Family ClosenessThis 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 4.3.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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