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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 5: Frustration of the Sacrifice of Dakṣa
4.5.94.5.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.5.10

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Conjecturing on the origin of the storm, theysince 4.5.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यस्त्वन्तकाले व्युप्तजटाकलाप:

स्वशूलसूच्यर्पितदिग्गजेन्द्र: ।

वितत्य नृत्यत्युदितास्त्रदोर्ध्वजान्

उच्चाट्टहासस्तनयित्नुभिन्नदिक् ॥ १० ॥

yas tv anta-kāle vyupta-jaṭā-kalāpaḥ

sva-śūla-sūcy-arpita-dig-gajendraḥ

vitatya nṛtyaty uditāstra-dor-dhvajān

uccāṭṭa-hāsa-stanayitnu-bhinna-dik

Translation

At the time of dissolution, Lord Śiva’s hair is scattered, and he pierces the rulers of the different directions with his trident. He laughs and dances proudly, scattering their hands like flags, as thunder scatters the clouds all over the world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Disrespect Ignores Lord Śiva’s Great Power

  1. 1

    Prasūti appreciated Lord Śiva’s power and described his actions at dissolution. Dakṣa’s strength could not be compared with his.

  2. 2

    With scattered hair and trident in hand, Lord Śiva performs the pralaya dance, or dance of dissolution. In the final phase, his dancing causes the planets to become inundated with water.

  3. 3

    Prasūti understood that the danger arose not only from Dakṣa’s neglect of Satī but also from his neglect of Lord Śiva’s prestige and honor.

Key points from the purport
  • Prasūti, who appreciated the power and strength of her son-in-law, Lord Śiva, is describing what he does at the time of dissolution.
  • At the time of dissolution, Lord Śiva, with his trident in hand, dances over the rulers of the different planets, and his hair is scattered, just as the clouds are scattered over all directions in order to plunge the different planets into incessant torrents of rain.
  • In the last phase of dissolution, all the planets become inundated with water, and that inundation is caused by the dancing of Lord Śiva.

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 5: Frustration of the Sacrifice of Dakṣa

Lord Śiva’s soldiers destroy Dakṣa’s sacrificial arena, and Vīrabhadra beheads Dakṣa.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwho (Lord Śiva)
  2. tubut
  3. anta-kāleat the time of dissolution
  4. vyuptahaving scattered
  5. jaṭā-kalāpaḥhis bunch of hair
  6. sva-śūlahis own trident
  7. sūcion the points
  8. arpitapierced
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “proudly”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “rulers”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “danger”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can pride lead me to dismiss the dignity or strength of another?

Practice

Notice one dismissive thought today and replace it with a respectful acknowledgment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDisrespect Ignores Lord Śiva’s Great PowerThis 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 4.5.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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