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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
4.7.14.7.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.2

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 4.7.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

महादेव उवाच

नाघं प्रजेश बालानां वर्णये नानुचिन्तये ।

देवमायाभिभूतानां दण्डस्तत्र धृतो मया ॥ २ ॥

mahādeva uvāca

nāghaṁ prajeśa bālānāṁ

varṇaye nānucintaye

deva-māyābhibhūtānāṁ

daṇḍas tatra dhṛto mayā

Translation

Lord Śiva said: My dear father, Brahmā, I do not mind the offenses created by the demigods. Because these demigods are childish and less intelligent, I do not take a serious view of their offenses, and I have punished them only in order to right them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Correction Without Enmity

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva did not take the demigods’ offenses seriously. He regarded them as childish and punished them only to correct them.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes an enemy’s punishment from a father’s correction of his son. Lord Śiva’s chastisement is like a father’s.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva is a Vaiṣṇava, a great devotee, and is not inimical to any living entity. He always wishes the welfare of all.

Key points from the purport
  • There are two types of punishment: one is that which a conqueror imposes on an enemy, and the other is like that a father imposes on his son.
  • Lord Śiva is by nature a Vaiṣṇava, a great devotee, and his name in this connection is Āśutoṣa.
  • Lord Śiva is like a father because he never takes seriously any offense by any living entities, especially the demigods.

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. mahādevaḥLord Śiva
  2. uvācasaid
  3. nanot
  4. aghamoffense
  5. prajā-īśaO lord of created beings
  6. bālānāmof the children
  7. varṇayeI regard
  8. nanot
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “father”, “childish”, “father’s”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offenses”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

When I correct someone, do I seek their welfare or merely express my anger?

Practice

Let one small offense pass today without holding resentment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCorrection Without EnmityThis 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 4.7.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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