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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
4.7.224.7.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.23

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

तत्तेजसा हतरुच: सन्नजिह्वा: ससाध्वसा: ।

मूर्ध्ना धृताञ्जलिपुटा उपतस्थुरधोक्षजम् ॥ २३ ॥

tat-tejasā hata-rucaḥ

sanna-jihvāḥ sa-sādhvasāḥ

mūrdhnā dhṛtāñjali-puṭā

upatasthur adhokṣajam

Translation

In the presence of the glaring effulgence of the bodily luster of Nārāyaṇa, everyone else’s luster faded away, and everyone stopped speaking. Fearful with awe and veneration, all present touched their hands to their heads and prepared to offer their prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Adhokṣaja.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reverence Before the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The bodily luster of Nārāyaṇa was so brilliant that everyone else’s luster faded away.

  2. 2

    Everyone stopped speaking in His presence. They were filled with fear, awe and veneration.

  3. 3

    All present touched their hands to their heads and prepared to offer prayers to Adhokṣaja, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. tat-tejasāby the glaring effulgence of His body
  2. hata-rucaḥhaving faded lusters
  3. sanna-jihvāḥhaving silent tongues
  4. sa-sādhvasāḥhaving fear of Him
  5. mūrdhnāwith the head
  6. dhṛta-añjali-puṭāḥwith hands touched to the head
  7. upatasthuḥprayed
  8. adhokṣajamto Adhokṣaja, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “fearful”, “fear”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “luster”

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 I bring greater reverence to my prayers?

Practice

Pause silently before offering one respectful prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReverence Before the Supreme LordThis 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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