1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.7.194.7.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्यामो हिरण्यरशनोऽर्ककिरीटजुष्टो

नीलालकभ्रमरमण्डितकुण्डलास्य: ।

शङ्खाब्जचक्रशरचापगदासिचर्म-

व्यग्रैर्हिरण्मयभुजैरिव कर्णिकार: ॥ २० ॥

śyāmo hiraṇya-raśano ’rka-kirīṭa-juṣṭo

nīlālaka-bhramara-maṇḍita-kuṇḍalāsyaḥ

śaṅkhābja-cakra-śara-cāpa-gadāsi-carma-

vyagrair hiraṇmaya-bhujair iva karṇikāraḥ

Translation

His complexion was blackish, His garment yellow like gold, and His helmet as dazzling as the sun. His hair was bluish, the color of black bees, and His face was decorated with earrings. His eight hands held a conchshell, wheel, club, lotus flower, arrow, bow, shield and sword, and they were decorated with golden ornaments such as bangles and bracelets. His whole body resembled a blossoming tree beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Beautiful Lord Protects His Devotees

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu's blackish form, golden-yellow garment and shining ornaments are beautifully described. His face resembles a lotus flower, and His eight hands are compared to its eight petals.

  2. 2

    The Lord's weapons protect His devotees. The club and wheel punish demons and miscreants, while the lotus flower and conchshell bless devotees.

  3. 3

    Lord Viṣṇu is the proprietor of both the material and spiritual worlds. A devotee's position is always transcendental, and the devotee is always protected by Him.

Key points from the purport
  • The face of Lord Viṣṇu as described in this verse appears like a lotus flower with bees humming over it.
  • Generally in the four hands of Viṣṇu there are a wheel, club, conchshell and lotus flower.
  • The club and the wheel are the Lord’s symbols of punishment for the demons and miscreants, and the lotus flower and conchshell are used to bless the devotees.

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. śyāmaḥblackish
  2. hiraṇya-raśanaḥa garment like gold
  3. arka-kirīṭa-juṣṭaḥwith a helmet as dazzling as the sun
  4. nīla-alakabluish curls
  5. bhramarabig black bees
  6. maṇḍita-kuṇḍala-āsyaḥhaving a face decorated with earrings
  7. śaṅkhaconchshell
  8. abjalotus flower
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “bless”

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 does remembering the Lord's beauty and protection strengthen your desire to serve Him?

Practice

Meditate briefly on the Lord's lotus flower and conchshell today, remembering His blessings upon His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Beautiful Lord Protects His DevoteesThis 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 4.7.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories