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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 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva
4.5.264.6.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 4.6.1-2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

मैत्रेय उवाच

अथ देवगणा: सर्वे रुद्रानीकै: पराजिता: ।

शूलपट्टिशनिस्त्रिंशगदापरिघमुद्गरै: ॥ १ ॥

सञ्छिन्नभिन्नसर्वाङ्गा: सर्त्विक्सभ्या भयाकुला: ।

स्वयम्भुवे नमस्कृत्य कार्त्स्‍न्येनैतन्न्यवेदयन् ॥ २ ॥

maitreya uvāca

atha deva-gaṇāḥ sarve

rudrānīkaiḥ parājitāḥ

śūla-paṭṭiśa-nistriṁśa-

gadā-parigha-mudgaraiḥ

sañchinna-bhinna-sarvāṅgāḥ

sartvik-sabhyā bhayākulāḥ

svayambhuve namaskṛtya

kārtsnyenaitan nyavedayan

Translation

All the priests and other members of the sacrificial assembly and all the demigods, having been defeated by the soldiers of Lord Śiva and injured by weapons like tridents and swords, approached Lord Brahmā with great fear. After offering him obeisances, they began to speak in detail of all the events which had taken place.

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.

Approaching Brahmā Respectfully in Distress

  1. 1

    The priests, assembly members and demigods were defeated by the soldiers of Lord Śiva. Wounded by their weapons, they approached Lord Brahmā in great fear.

  2. 2

    Before speaking, they offered Lord Brahmā their obeisances. Even in distress, they approached him respectfully.

  3. 3

    They reported in detail all the events that had taken 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 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva

Brahmā and the demigods approach Lord Śiva, asking him to show mercy.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. athaafter this
  3. deva-gaṇāḥthe demigods
  4. sarveall
  5. rudra-anīkaiḥby the soldiers of Lord Śiva
  6. parājitāḥhaving been defeated
  7. śūlatrident
  8. paṭṭiśaa sharp-edged spear
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 4.6

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “distress”

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

When I am distressed, can I explain what happened clearly and respectfully?

Practice

Today, take a moment to show respect before asking someone for help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproaching Brahmā Respectfully in DistressThis 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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