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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
4.3.154.3.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.16

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great lordsince 4.3.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीभगवानुवाच

त्वयोदितं शोभनमेव शोभने

अनाहुता अप्यभियन्ति बन्धुषु ।

ते यद्यनुत्पादितदोषद‍ृष्टयो

बलीयसानात्म्यमदेन मन्युना ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

tvayoditaṁ śobhanam eva śobhane

anāhutā apy abhiyanti bandhuṣu

te yady anutpādita-doṣa-dṛṣṭayo

balīyasānātmya-madena manyunā

Translation

The great lord replied: My dear beautiful wife, you have said that one may go to a friend’s house without being invited, and this is true, provided such a friend does not find fault with the guest because of bodily identification and thereby become angry towards him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Closeness Does Not Excuse Hostility

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva agrees that one may visit a friend without invitation, provided the friend does not find fault through bodily pride and anger.

  2. 2

    He foresees that Dakṣa, puffed up by material possessions, will be angry with Satī although she is innocent.

  3. 3

    Having already experienced Dakṣa’s harsh words despite being faultless, Lord Śiva warns that it is better for her not to go.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva could foresee that as soon as Satī reached her father’s house, her father, Dakṣa, being too puffed up because of bodily identification, would be angry at her presence, and although she was innocent and faultless, he would be mercilessly angry towards her.
  • Lord Śiva warned that since her father was too puffed up by his material possessions, he would be angry, and this would be intolerable for her.
  • This fact was already experienced by Lord Śiva because although Lord Śiva was faultless, Dakṣa had cursed him in so many harsh words.

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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe great lord replied
  2. tvayāby you
  3. uditamsaid
  4. śobhanamis true
  5. evacertainly
  6. śobhanemy dear beautiful wife
  7. anāhutāḥwithout being invited
  8. apieven
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’s”, “friend”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

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

Do I consider someone’s actual disposition before assuming that a visit will be welcome?

Practice

Before making an uninvited visit today, pause to consider whether you will genuinely be welcomed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCloseness Does Not Excuse HostilityThis 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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