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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 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa
4.7.94.7.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.10

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तदा वृषध्वजद्वेषकलिलात्मा प्रजापति: ।

शिवावलोकादभवच्छरद्‌ध्रद इवामल: ॥ १० ॥

tadā vṛṣadhvaja-dveṣa-

kalilātmā prajāpatiḥ

śivāvalokād abhavac

charad-dhrada ivāmalaḥ

Translation

At that time, when Dakṣa saw Lord Śiva, who rides upon a bull, his heart, which was polluted by envy of Lord Śiva, was immediately cleansed, just as the water in a lake is cleansed by autumn rains.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reverence Cleanses an Envious Heart

  1. 1

    Dakṣa’s heart had been polluted by envy and slander of Lord Śiva. On seeing Lord Śiva with love, devotion and respect, his heart became purified.

  2. 2

    This illustrates why Lord Śiva is called auspicious. Seeing him with devotion and reverence cleanses the heart.

  3. 3

    The cleansing is compared to autumn rains making muddy water clear and transparent. Dakṣa’s impure heart similarly became clear of envy.

Key points from the purport
  • Here is an example of why Lord Śiva is called auspicious.
  • King Dakṣa was polluted by envy of Lord Śiva, and yet by seeing him with a little love and devotion, his heart immediately became cleansed.
  • Similarly, although Dakṣa’s heart was impure because of his having slandered Lord Śiva, for which he was severely punished, Dakṣa now came to consciousness, and just by seeing Lord Śiva with veneration and respect, he became immediately purified.

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 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa

Lord Śiva is pacified, Dakṣa acknowledges his offense, and Lord Viṣṇu accepts the sacrifice.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tadāat that time
  2. vṛṣa-dhvajaLord Śiva, who rides on a bull
  3. dveṣaenvy
  4. kalila-ātmāpolluted heart
  5. prajāpatiḥKing Dakṣa
  6. śivaLord Śiva
  7. avalokātby seeing him
  8. abhavatbecame
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “cleansed”, “purified”, “cleanses”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “devotion”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “love”

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 I replace envy with genuine respect?

Practice

Read this verse again slowly, consciously cultivating respect for Lord Śiva.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReverence Cleanses an Envious HeartThis 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 4.7.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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