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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
4.3.5-74.3.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Satīsince 4.3.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura
A turning point forSatī· A gathering without welcome

सत्युवाच

प्रजापतेस्ते श्वशुरस्य साम्प्रतं

निर्यापितो यज्ञमहोत्सव: किल ।

वयं च तत्राभिसराम वाम ते

यद्यर्थितामी विबुधा व्रजन्ति हि ॥ ८ ॥

saty uvāca

prajāpates te śvaśurasya sāmprataṁ

niryāpito yajña-mahotsavaḥ kila

vayaṁ ca tatrābhisarāma vāma te

yady arthitāmī vibudhā vrajanti hi

Translation

Satī said: My dear Lord Śiva, your father-in-law is now executing great sacrifices, and all the demigods, having been invited by him, are going there. If you desire, we may also go.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Express Desires Politely

  1. 1

    Satī knew about the tension between her father and Lord Śiva. Still, she wanted to attend the sacrifices at her father’s house.

  2. 2

    She pointed out that many invited demigods were going. Rather than stating her wish directly, she said they could go if Lord Śiva desired.

  3. 3

    The purport emphasizes that Satī submitted her desire very politely to her husband.

Key points from the purport
  • Satī knew of the tension between her father and her husband, but still she expressed to her husband, Lord Śiva, that since such sacrifices were going on at her father’s house and so many demigods were going, she also desired to go.
  • But she could not express her willingness directly, and so she told her husband that if he desired to go, then she could also accompany him.
  • In other words, she submitted her desire very politely to her husband.

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. satī uvācaSatī said
  2. prajāpateḥof Dakṣa
  3. teyour
  4. śvaśurasyaof your father-in-law
  5. sāmpratamnowadays
  6. niryāpitaḥhas been started
  7. yajña-mahā-utsavaḥa great sacrifice
  8. kilacertainly
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father-in-law”, “father”

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 express a strong wish while leaving room for another person’s concerns?

Practice

Make one request politely today, without demanding agreement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayExpress Desires PolitelyThis 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 4.3.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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