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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
4.7.164.7.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

वैष्णवं यज्ञसन्तत्यै त्रिकपालं द्विजोत्तमा: ।

पुरोडाशं निरवपन् वीरसंसर्गशुद्धये ॥ १७ ॥

vaiṣṇavaṁ yajña-santatyai

tri-kapālaṁ dvijottamāḥ

puroḍāśaṁ niravapan

vīra-saṁsarga-śuddhaye

Translation

Thereafter, in order to resume the activities of sacrifice, the brāhmaṇas first arranged to purify the sacrificial arena of the contamination caused by the touch of Vīrabhadra and the other ghostly followers of Lord Śiva. Then they arranged to offer into the fire the oblations known as puroḍāśa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cleanliness and the Holy Name Purify Worship

  1. 1

    Before resuming the sacrifice, the brāhmaṇas purified the arena contaminated by Vīrabhadra and Lord Śiva's other followers. They arranged the puroḍāśa offerings.

  2. 2

    An offering to Lord Viṣṇu cannot be performed uncleanly. The place of worship, those serving and the preparation of food must be kept neat and clean.

  3. 3

    Chanting or even remembering the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu immediately purifies one, internally and externally. His holy name sanctified the sacrificial arena.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva’s followers and devotees, headed by Vīrabhadra, are known as vīras, and they are ghostly demons.
  • Generally, whenever any ritualistic ceremony is begun, the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu is first chanted in order to purify the situation.
  • The yajña arena was desecrated by the presence of Lord Śiva’s followers, headed by Vīrabhadra, and therefore the entire arena had to be sanctified.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vaiṣṇavammeant for Lord Viṣṇu or His devotees
  2. yajñasacrifice
  3. santatyaifor performances
  4. tri-kapālamthree kinds of offerings
  5. dvija-uttamāḥthe best of the brāhmaṇas
  6. puroḍāśamthe oblation called puroḍāśa
  7. niravapanoffered
  8. vīraVīrabhadra and other followers of Lord Śiva
  9. saṁsargacontamination ( doṣa) due to his touching
  10. śuddhayefor purification
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purify”, “contamination”, “purified”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

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 can you give more care to both cleanliness and remembrance of the Lord in your worship?

Practice

Clean your place of worship today, then chant or remember Lord Viṣṇu's holy name before beginning.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCleanliness and the Holy Name Purify WorshipThis 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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