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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
4.7.124.7.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.13

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Dakṣasince 4.7.13inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दक्ष उवाच

भूयाननुग्रह अहो भवता कृतो मे

दण्डस्त्वया मयि भृतो यदपि प्रलब्ध: ।

न ब्रह्मबन्धुषु च वां भगवन्नवज्ञा

तुभ्यं हरेश्च कुत एव धृतव्रतेषु ॥ १३ ॥

dakṣa uvāca

bhūyān anugraha aho bhavatā kṛto me

daṇḍas tvayā mayi bhṛto yad api pralabdhaḥ

na brahma-bandhuṣu ca vāṁ bhagavann avajñā

tubhyaṁ hareś ca kuta eva dhṛta-vrateṣu

Translation

King Dakṣa said: My dear Lord Śiva, I committed a great offense against you, but you are so kind that instead of withdrawing your mercy, you have done me a great favor by punishing me. You and Lord Viṣṇu never neglect even useless, unqualified brāhmaṇas. Why, then, should you neglect me, who am engaged in performing sacrifices?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognizing Mercy in Correction

  1. 1

    Dakṣa understood that Lord Śiva had punished him not as an enemy, but to bring him to his senses. He acknowledged this as great mercy.

  2. 2

    A brahma-bandhu is born in a brāhmaṇa family but does not act according to brahminical standards. Dakṣa admitted that his treatment of Lord Śiva showed this failing.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu are affectionate even toward imperfect brāhmaṇas. Though fallen, Dakṣa remained committed to performing the sacrifice and began his prayers.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Dakṣa felt defeated, he knew that his punishment was simply the great mercy of Lord Śiva.
  • Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu, however, are affectionate even to an imperfect brāhmaṇa.
  • Dakṣa could understand this, and he acknowledged the great mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Śiva towards the fallen brāhmaṇas, including even himself.

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. dakṣaḥKing Dakṣa
  2. uvācasaid
  3. bhūyānvery great
  4. anugrahaḥfavor
  5. ahoalas
  6. bhavatāby you
  7. kṛtaḥdone
  8. meupon me
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favor”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “offense”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “king”

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

Can you acknowledge a fault without overlooking the mercy that helps you correct it?

Practice

Write down one mistake you recognize and one concrete step you can take to correct it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.7's connections

Live this todayRecognizing Mercy in CorrectionThis 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 4.7.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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