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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
4.7.144.7.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.15

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

योऽसौ मयाविदिततत्त्वद‍ृशा सभायां

क्षिप्तो दुरुक्तिविशिखैर्विगणय्य तन्माम् ।

अर्वाक् पतन्तमर्हत्तमनिन्दयापाद्

द‍ृष्टय‍ार्द्रया स भगवान्स्वकृतेन तुष्येत् ॥ १५ ॥

yo ’sau mayāvidita-tattva-dṛśā sabhāyāṁ

kṣipto durukti-viśikhair vigaṇayya tan mām

arvāk patantam arhattama-nindayāpād

dṛṣṭyārdrayā sa bhagavān sva-kṛtena tuṣyet

Translation

I did not know your full glories. For this reason, I threw arrows of sharp words at you in the open assembly, although you did not take them into account. I was going down to hell because of my disobedience to you, who are the most respectable personality, but you took compassion upon me and saved me by awarding punishment. I request that you be pleased by your own mercy, since I cannot satisfy you by my words.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Meet Adversity With Gratitude and Surrender

  1. 1

    Dakṣa recognized that his sharp words against Lord Śiva were a serious offense. He understood that Lord Śiva's punishment had neutralized that offense and saved him.

  2. 2

    A devotee in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not regard suffering as condemnation by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He sees the Lord's grace and protection from greater danger.

  3. 3

    Seeing adversity in this way, a devotee surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead more seriously. Dakṣa's gratitude showed progress on the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • As usual, a devotee in an adverse condition of life accepts such a condition to be the mercy of the Lord.
  • Similarly, Dakṣa appreciated that the punishment offered to him by Lord Śiva was a manifestation of Lord Śiva’s mercy.
  • Thinking of His grace in that way, a devotee always surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead more and more seriously and is not disturbed by such so-called punishment.

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. yaḥwho
  2. asauthat
  3. mayāby me
  4. avidita-tattvawithout knowing the actual fact
  5. dṛśāby experience
  6. sabhāyāmin the assembly
  7. kṣiptaḥwas abused
  8. duruktiunkind words
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “compassion”, “suffering”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “saved”, “protection”

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 might remembrance of the Lord's mercy deepen your surrender during a difficulty?

Practice

In one difficulty today, offer a short prayer of gratitude for the Lord's protection and ask to deepen your surrender.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeet Adversity With Gratitude and SurrenderThis 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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