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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
4.3.194.3.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 4.3.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

व्यक्तं त्वमुत्कृष्टगते: प्रजापते:

प्रियात्मजानामसि सुभ्रु मे मता ।

तथापि मानं न पितु: प्रपत्स्यसे

मदाश्रयात्क: परितप्यते यत: ॥ २० ॥

vyaktaṁ tvam utkṛṣṭa-gateḥ prajāpateḥ

priyātmajānām asi subhru me matā

tathāpi mānaṁ na pituḥ prapatsyase

mad-āśrayāt kaḥ paritapyate yataḥ

Translation

My dear white-complexioned wife, it is clear that of the many daughters of Dakṣa you are the pet, yet you will not be honored at his house because of your being my wife. Rather, you will be sorry that you are connected with me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Heed Warnings Despite Familiar Affection

  1. 1

    Although Satī is Dakṣa’s favorite daughter, Lord Śiva warns that she will not be honored because she is his wife.

  2. 2

    Even going alone would not remove the cause of Dakṣa’s hostility toward her.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva sees a strong possibility of catastrophe and indirectly asks her not to visit her father’s house.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva put forward the argument that even if Satī proposed to go alone, without her husband, still she would not be received well because she was his wife.
  • There was every chance of a catastrophe, even if she wanted to go alone.
  • Therefore Lord Śiva indirectly requested her not to go to her father’s house.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vyaktamit is clear
  2. tvamyou
  3. utkṛṣṭa-gateḥhaving the best behavior
  4. prajāpateḥof Prajāpati Dakṣa
  5. priyāthe pet
  6. ātmajānāmof the daughters
  7. asiyou are
  8. subhruO you with the beautiful eyebrows
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “favorite”

  • 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

Can I listen to a caring warning even when past affection makes me expect a welcome?

Practice

Reconsider one plan today in light of a sincere warning you have received.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHeed Warnings Despite Familiar AffectionThis 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 4.3.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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