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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.5.11

Who is speaking and story frame

अमर्षयित्वा तमसह्यतेजसं

मन्युप्लुतं दुर्निरीक्ष्यं भ्रुकुट्या ।

करालदंष्ट्राभिरुदस्तभागणं

स्यात्स्वस्ति किं कोपयतो विधातु: ॥ ११ ॥

amarṣayitvā tam asahya-tejasaṁ

manyu-plutaṁ durnirīkṣyaṁ bhru-kuṭyā

karāla-daṁṣṭrābhir udasta-bhāgaṇaṁ

syāt svasti kiṁ kopayato vidhātuḥ

Translation

The gigantic black man bared his fearful teeth. By the movements of his brows he scattered the luminaries all over the sky, and he covered them with his strong, piercing effulgence. Because of the misbehavior of Dakṣa, even Lord Brahmā, Dakṣa’s father, could not have been saved from the great exhibition of anger.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Misbehavior Brings Fearful Consequences

  1. 1

    The gigantic black man bared his fearful teeth. His appearance displayed overwhelming anger.

  2. 2

    By the movements of his brows, he scattered the luminaries across the sky and covered them with his piercing effulgence.

  3. 3

    Dakṣa’s misbehavior brought such a great exhibition of anger that even his father, Lord Brahmā, could not have been saved from it.

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. amarṣayitvāafter causing to become angry
  2. tamhim (Lord Śiva)
  3. asahya-tejasamwith an unbearable effulgence
  4. manyu-plutamfilled with anger
  5. durnirīkṣyamnot able to be looked at
  6. bhru-kuṭyāby the movement of his brows
  7. karāla-daṁṣṭrābhiḥby his fearful teeth
  8. udasta-bhāgaṇamhaving scattered the luminaries
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 4.5

    In this verse: “fearful”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “father”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “saved”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might my misbehavior bring trouble to others as well as myself?

Practice

Before one difficult conversation today, pause and consider how your conduct could affect others.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMisbehavior Brings Fearful ConsequencesThis 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 4.5.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.