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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
4.3.84.3.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.9

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Satīsince 4.3.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्मिन्भगिन्यो मम भर्तृभि: स्वकै-

र्ध्रुवं गमिष्यन्ति सुहृद्दिद‍ृक्षव: ।

अहं च तस्मिन्भवताभिकामये

सहोपनीतं परिबर्हमर्हितुम् ॥ ९ ॥

tasmin bhaginyo mama bhartṛbhiḥ svakair

dhruvaṁ gamiṣyanti suhṛd-didṛkṣavaḥ

ahaṁ ca tasmin bhavatābhikāmaye

sahopanītaṁ paribarham arhitum

Translation

I think that all my sisters must have gone to this great sacrificial ceremony with their husbands just to see their relatives. I also desire to decorate myself with the ornaments given to me by my father and go there with you to participate in that assembly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Absorption Beyond Material Enjoyment

  1. 1

    Satī wanted to meet her sisters and relatives with Lord Śiva. She wished to wear the ornaments her father had given her.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that attraction between man and woman can expand material demands involving home, wealth, children and friendship. Instead of decreasing those demands, one can become entangled in material enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva was not attracted by material enjoyment or social display. He was always in ecstasy with thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • She did not say that she would decorate herself with the ornaments given by her husband because her husband was callous about all such matters.
  • According to the Vedic system, a daughter is given a sufficient dowry at the time of her marriage, and therefore Satī was also given a dowry by her father, and ornaments were included.
  • It is also the custom that the husband gives some ornaments, but here it is particularly mentioned that her husband, being materially almost nothing, could not do so; therefore she wanted to decorate herself with the ornaments given by her father.

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. tasminin that sacrifice
  2. bhaginyaḥsisters
  3. mamamy
  4. bhartṛbhiḥwith their husbands
  5. svakaiḥtheir own
  6. dhruvamsurely
  7. gamiṣyantiwill go
  8. suhṛt-didṛkṣavaḥdesiring to meet the relatives
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”, “children”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “friendship”

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

Are my desires increasing my material demands or leaving room for thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Set aside one unnecessary purchase or decoration today and spend a few quiet moments thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Absorption Beyond Material EnjoymentThis 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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