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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· six steps
  1. 1Chant the verseSay the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meaningsGo through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourselfBefore the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translationAsk: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowlyRead it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched youNote the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 4: Satī Quits Her Body
4.4.164.4.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.4.17

कर्णौ पिधाय निरयाद्यदकल्प ईशे

धर्मावितर्यसृणिभिर्नृभिरस्यमाने ।

छिन्द्यात्प्रसह्य रुशतीमसतीं प्रभुश्चे-

ज्जिह्वामसूनपि ततो विसृजेत्स धर्म: ॥ १७ ॥

karṇau pidhāya nirayād yad akalpa īśe

dharmāvitary asṛṇibhir nṛbhir asyamāne

chindyāt prasahya ruśatīm asatīṁ prabhuś cej

jihvām asūn api tato visṛjet sa dharmaḥ

Translation

Satī continued: If one hears an irresponsible person blaspheme the master and controller of religion, one should block his ears and go away if unable to punish him. But if one is able to kill, then one should by force cut out the blasphemer’s tongue and kill the offender, and after that one should give up his own life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Withdraw From Hearing Blasphemy

  1. 1

    The purport distinguishes Satī’s defense of Lord Śiva from malicious faultfinding. She was defending the protector of religion, not merely attacking Dakṣa.

  2. 2

    The passage includes severe responses involving killing and giving up one’s life within its discussion of social duties. These are not instructions for the reader to harm anyone or themselves.

  3. 3

    The text also explicitly gives the response of blocking one’s ears or leaving the place. This provides a nonviolent way to refuse participation in blasphemy.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.