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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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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 6: Brahmā Satisfies Lord Śiva
4.6.34.6.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

तदाकर्ण्य विभु: प्राह तेजीयसि कृतागसि ।

क्षेमाय तत्र सा भूयान्न प्रायेण बुभूषताम् ॥ ४ ॥

tad ākarṇya vibhuḥ prāha

tejīyasi kṛtāgasi

kṣemāya tatra sā bhūyān

na prāyeṇa bubhūṣatām

Translation

When Lord Brahmā heard everything from the demigods and the members who had attended the sacrifice, he replied: You cannot be happy in executing a sacrifice if you blaspheme a great personality and thereby offend his lotus feet. You cannot have happiness in that way.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offenses Prevent Happiness

  1. 1

    Dakṣa wanted to enjoy the results of his sacrificial activities. Lord Brahmā explained that one cannot enjoy while offending a great personality like Lord Śiva.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that Dakṣa’s death prevented him from repeatedly committing such offenses.

  3. 3

    Using Manu’s law concerning punishment for murder, the purport explains that punishment can prevent further wrongdoing and future suffering. In this sense, Brahmā considered Dakṣa’s death beneficial for him.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā explained to the demigods that although Dakṣa wanted to enjoy the results of fruitive sacrificial activities, it is not possible to enjoy when one offends a great personality like Lord Śiva.
  • Therefore the king’s punishment of a murderer is appropriate. lf those who are extremely offensive are killed by the grace of the Lord, that is good for them.
  • In other words, Lord Brahmā explained to the demigods that it was good for Dakṣa to have been killed.

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 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. tatthe events related by the demigods and the others
  2. ākarṇyaafter hearing
  3. vibhuḥLord Brahmā
  4. prāhareplied
  5. tejīyasia great personality
  6. kṛta-āgasihas been offended
  7. kṣemāyafor your happiness
  8. tatrain that way
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “offend”, “offenses”, “offending”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “suffering”

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

Am I seeking happiness while overlooking disrespect in my own speech?

Practice

Before speaking about a great personality today, check your words for blasphemy or disrespect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffenses Prevent HappinessThis 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 4.6.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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