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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
4.6.434.6.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.44

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 4.6.42inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

त्वमेव धर्मार्थदुघाभिपत्तये

दक्षेण सूत्रेण ससर्जिथाध्वरम् ।

त्वयैव लोकेऽवसिताश्च सेतवो

यान्ब्राह्मणा: श्रद्दधते धृतव्रता: ॥ ४४ ॥

tvam eva dharmārtha-dughābhipattaye

dakṣeṇa sūtreṇa sasarjithādhvaram

tvayaiva loke ’vasitāś ca setavo

yān brāhmaṇāḥ śraddadhate dhṛta-vratāḥ

Translation

My dear lord, Your Lordship has introduced the system of sacrifices through the agency of Dakṣa, and thus one may derive the benefits of religious activities and economic development. Under your regulative principles, the institution of the four varṇās and āśramas is respected. The brāhmaṇas therefore vow to follow this system strictly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve the Lord Through Your Duties

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord created the divisions of varṇa and āśrama to maintain social and religious order. The brāhmaṇas should vow to respect these principles steadily.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa created the four social orders to work for His satisfaction. Like different parts of one body, all should serve the complete whole, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    One's position is secure when one's work serves the Lord. Without this service, one falls from one's proper position.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedic system of varṇa and āśrama is never to be neglected, for these divisions are created by the Supreme Lord Himself for the upkeep of social and religious order in human society.
  • One should strictly observe the principles of varṇa and āśrama for the satisfaction of the creator, for it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā by Lord Kṛṣṇa that the four orders of the social system — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras — are His creation.
  • They should act according to the regulative principles of this institution and satisfy the Lord, just as different parts of the body all engage in the service of the whole.

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. tvamYour Lordship
  2. evacertainly
  3. dharma-artha-dughabenefit derived from religion and economic development
  4. abhipattayefor their protection
  5. dakṣeṇaby Dakṣa
  6. sūtreṇamaking him the cause
  7. sasarjithacreated
  8. adhvaramsacrifices
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “varṇās”

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 can you perform your responsibilities for the Lord's satisfaction rather than only your own benefit?

Practice

Choose one responsibility today and carry it out carefully with the intention of satisfying the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe the Lord Through Your DutiesThis 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 4.6.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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