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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
4.6.404.6.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.41

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

तथापरे सिद्धगणा महर्षिभि-

र्ये वै समन्तादनु नीललोहितम् ।

नमस्कृत: प्राह शशाङ्कशेखरं

कृतप्रणामं प्रहसन्निवात्मभू: ॥ ४१ ॥

tathāpare siddha-gaṇā maharṣibhir

ye vai samantād anu nīlalohitam

namaskṛtaḥ prāha śaśāṅka-śekharaṁ

kṛta-praṇāmaṁ prahasann ivātmabhūḥ

Translation

All the sages who were sitting with Lord Śiva, such as Nārada and others, also offered their respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmā. After being so worshiped, Lord Brahmā, smiling, began to speak to Lord Śiva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Smile Can Conceal Concern

  1. 1

    Nārada and the other sages sitting with Lord Śiva also offered respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmā.

  2. 2

    Brahmā knew that Lord Śiva was easily satisfied but also easily irritated. He feared that Śiva might be angry after losing his wife and being insulted by Dakṣa.

  3. 3

    After receiving their respects, Brahmā smiled and began speaking to Lord Śiva. His smile concealed his fear.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā was smiling because he knew that Lord Śiva is not only easily satisfied but easily irritated as well.
  • He was afraid that Lord Śiva might be in an angry mood because he had lost his wife and had been insulted by Dakṣa.
  • In order to conceal this fear, he smiled and addressed Lord Śiva as follows.

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. tathāso
  2. aparethe others
  3. siddha-gaṇāḥthe Siddhas
  4. mahā-ṛṣibhiḥalong with the great sages
  5. yewho
  6. vaiindeed
  7. samantātfrom all sides
  8. anuafter
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “worshiped”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “feared”

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

How might remembering someone’s grief or hurt affect the way you approach a conversation?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause to consider whether the other person may be carrying grief or hurt.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Smile Can Conceal ConcernThis 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 4.6.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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