1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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
4.6.64.6.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.6.7

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

नाहं न यज्ञो न च यूयमन्ये

ये देहभाजो मुनयश्च तत्त्वम् ।

विदु: प्रमाणं बलवीर्ययोर्वा

यस्यात्मतन्त्रस्य क उपायं विधित्सेत् ॥ ७ ॥

nāhaṁ na yajño na ca yūyam anye

ye deha-bhājo munayaś ca tattvam

viduḥ pramāṇaṁ bala-vīryayor vā

yasyātma-tantrasya ka upāyaṁ vidhitset

Translation

Lord Brahmā said that no one — not even himself, Indra, all the members assembled in the sacrificial arena or all the sages — could know how powerful Lord Śiva is. Under the circumstances, who would dare to commit an offense at his lotus feet?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender Rather Than Rely on Yourself

  1. 1

    Brahmā acknowledged that neither he nor the assembled demigods and sages could know the extent of Lord Śiva’s power.

  2. 2

    Although they did not know how to satisfy Lord Śiva, they knew he was kind and easily satisfied. Brahmā therefore proposed falling at his lotus feet.

  3. 3

    The purport teaches that the subordinate’s position is to surrender to the Supreme. The Lord asks everyone to give up concocted occupations and surrender unto Him, which protects them from sinful reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • After Lord Brahmā advised the demigods to go to Lord Śiva and beg his pardon, it was suggested how he should be satisfied and how the matter should be placed before him.
  • Brahmā also asserted that none of the conditioned souls, including himself and all the demigods, could know how to satisfy Lord Śiva.
  • Similarly, in this case Brahmā also suggested that they go and surrender unto the lotus feet of Lord Śiva, for since he is very kind and easily satisfied, this action would prove effective.

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. nanot
  2. ahamI
  3. nanor
  4. yajñaḥIndra
  5. nanor
  6. caand
  7. yūyamall of you
  8. anyeothers
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

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offense”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 4.6

    In this verse: “give up”

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 am I relying on my own plans instead of cultivating surrender to the Supreme?

Practice

Offer a brief, sincere prayer today expressing your wish to surrender to the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender Rather Than Rely on YourselfThis 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 4.6.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories