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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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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
4.3.14.3.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.2

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

यदाभिषिक्तो दक्षस्तु ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना ।

प्रजापतीनां सर्वेषामाधिपत्ये स्मयोऽभवत् ॥ २ ॥

yadābhiṣikto dakṣas tu

brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā

prajāpatīnāṁ sarveṣām

ādhipatye smayo ’bhavat

Translation

When Lord Brahmā appointed Dakṣa the chief of all the Prajāpatis, the progenitors of population, Dakṣa became very much puffed up.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

False Prestige Can Lead to Disaster

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā appointed Dakṣa chief of all the Prajāpatis, the progenitors of population.

  2. 2

    Dakṣa received this position although he was envious and hostile toward Lord Śiva. His appointment increased his excessive pride.

  3. 3

    Pride in material possessions can lead a person to disastrous acts. Dakṣa acted out of false prestige.

Key points from the purport
  • Although he was envious and was inimical towards Lord Śiva, Dakṣa was appointed the chief of all Prajāpatis.
  • That was the cause of his excessive pride.
  • When a man becomes too proud of his material possessions, he can perform any disastrous act, and therefore Dakṣa acted out of false prestige.

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. yadāwhen
  2. abhiṣiktaḥappointed
  3. dakṣaḥDakṣa
  4. tubut
  5. brahmaṇāby Brahmā
  6. parameṣṭhināthe supreme teacher
  7. prajāpatīnāmof the Prajāpatis
  8. sarveṣāmof all
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”

  • 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

How do I respond when I receive recognition or greater responsibility?

Practice

Before making one decision today, pause and ask whether you are trying to protect your prestige.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFalse Prestige Can Lead to DisasterThis 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 4.3.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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