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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
4.3.244.4.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.25

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

यदि व्रजिष्यस्यतिहाय मद्वचो

भद्रं भवत्या न ततो भविष्यति ।

सम्भावितस्य स्वजनात्पराभवो

यदा स सद्यो मरणाय कल्पते ॥ २५ ॥

yadi vrajiṣyasy atihāya mad-vaco

bhadraṁ bhavatyā na tato bhaviṣyati

sambhāvitasya sva-janāt parābhavo

yadā sa sadyo maraṇāya kalpate

Translation

If in spite of this instruction you decide to go, neglecting my words, the future will not be good for you. You are most respectable, and when you are insulted by your relative, this insult will immediately be equal to death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Protective Warnings Seriously

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva warns that going despite his instruction will not bring a good outcome for Satī. He asks her not to neglect his words.

  2. 2

    Satī is most respectable, yet her family connection does not protect her from being insulted by a relative.

  3. 3

    The verse describes such an insult to a respectable person as immediately equal to death. This strong comparison conveys the seriousness of the hurt Lord Śiva foresees.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Third Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī.”

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. yadiif
  2. vrajiṣyasiyou will go
  3. atihāyaneglecting
  4. mat-vacaḥmy words
  5. bhadramgood
  6. bhavatyāḥyour
  7. nanot
  8. tataḥthen
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “protect”

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

Am I overlooking a serious warning because I strongly want to follow my own plan?

Practice

Before acting on one plan today, pause and reconsider any protective advice you have been tempted to ignore.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Protective Warnings SeriouslyThis 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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