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

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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
4.6.474.6.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.48

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

यस्मिन्यदा पुष्करनाभमायया

दुरन्तया स्पृष्टधिय: पृथग्दृश: ।

कुर्वन्ति तत्र ह्यनुकम्पया कृपां

न साधवो दैवबलात्कृते क्रमम् ॥ ४८ ॥

yasmin yadā puṣkara-nābha-māyayā

durantayā spṛṣṭa-dhiyaḥ pṛthag-dṛśaḥ

kurvanti tatra hy anukampayā kṛpāṁ

na sādhavo daiva-balāt kṛte kramam

Translation

My dear lord, if in some places materialists, who are already bewildered by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme Godhead, sometimes commit offenses, a saintly person, with compassion, does not take this seriously. Knowing that they commit offenses because they are overpowered by the illusory energy, he does not show his prowess to counteract them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Forgiveness Is the Beauty of Saintliness

  1. 1

    A saintly person understands that materialists commit offenses because they are bewildered by the Supreme Lord's illusory energy. Out of compassion, the saint does not use personal power to retaliate.

  2. 2

    Parīkṣit Mahārāja had both spiritual and material power, yet accepted the brāhmaṇa boy's curse. Kṛṣṇa desired this so that the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam would be revealed to the world.

  3. 3

    Forgiveness is the beauty of a saintly person. A Vaiṣṇava's restraint is not a lack of strength, but tolerance for the welfare of others.

Key points from the purport
  • Parīkṣit Mahārāja was the emperor and was full in power both spiritually and materially, but out of compassion and out of respect for the brāhmaṇa community, he did not counteract the action of the brāhmaṇa boy but agreed to die within seven days.
  • Because it was desired by Kṛṣṇa that Parīkṣit Mahārāja agree to the punishment so that the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam would thus be revealed to the world, Parīkṣit Mahārāja was advised not to take action.
  • When he does not show his prowess, this does not mean that he is lacking in strength; rather, it indicates that he is tolerant for the welfare of the entire human society.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasminin some place
  2. yadāwhen
  3. puṣkara-nābha-māyayāby the illusory energy of Puṣkaranābha, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. durantayāinsurmountable
  5. spṛṣṭa-dhiyaḥbewildered
  6. pṛthak-dṛśaḥthe same persons who see differently
  7. kurvantido
  8. tatrathere
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”, “welfare”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “materialists”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offenses”

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

Where could restraint express compassion rather than weakness in your life?

Practice

Let one minor personal offense pass today without a retaliatory word.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayForgiveness Is the Beauty of SaintlinessThis 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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