1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.5.244.5.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.5.25

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

साधुवादस्तदा तेषां कर्म तत्तस्य पश्यताम् ।

भूतप्रेतपिशाचानां अन्येषां तद्विपर्यय: ॥ २५ ॥

sādhu-vādas tadā teṣāṁ

karma tat tasya paśyatām

bhūta-preta-piśācānāṁ

anyeṣāṁ tad-viparyayaḥ

Translation

Upon seeing the action of Vīrabhadra, the party of Lord Śiva was pleased and cried out joyfully, and all the bhūtas, ghosts and demons that had come made a tumultuous sound. On the other hand, the brāhmaṇas in charge of the sacrifice cried out in grief at the death of Dakṣa.

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.

One Event Brings Joy and Grief

  1. 1

    The party of Lord Śiva was pleased on seeing Vīrabhadra’s action and cried out joyfully.

  2. 2

    The bhūtas, ghosts and demons who had come made a tumultuous sound.

  3. 3

    The brāhmaṇas in charge of the sacrifice reacted differently. They cried out in grief at Dakṣa’s death.

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. sādhu-vādaḥjoyful exclamation
  2. tadāat that time
  3. teṣāmof those (followers of Lord Śiva)
  4. karmaaction
  5. tatthat
  6. tasyaof him (Vīrabhadra)
  7. paśyatāmseeing
  8. bhūta-preta-piśācānāmof the bhūtas (ghosts), pretas and piśācas
  9. anyeṣāmof the others (in the party of Dakṣa)
  10. tat-viparyayaḥthe opposite of that (an exclamation of grief)
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.5

    In this verse: “cried”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do I notice about the sharply different reactions to Dakṣa’s death?

Practice

Make two short notes: who rejoiced and who grieved.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOne Event Brings Joy and GriefThis 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 4.5.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories