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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.
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Canto 4 · Chapter 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa
4.7.284.7.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 4.7.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

रुद्र उवाच

तव वरद वराङ्‌घ्रावाशिषेहाखिलार्थे

ह्यपि मुनिभिरसक्तैरादरेणार्हणीये ।

यदि रचितधियं माविद्यलोकोऽपविद्धं

जपति न गणये तत्त्वत्परानुग्रहेण ॥ २९ ॥

rudra uvāca

tava varada varāṅghrāv āśiṣehākhilārthe

hy api munibhir asaktair ādareṇārhaṇīye

yadi racita-dhiyaṁ māvidya-loko ’paviddhaṁ

japati na gaṇaye tat tvat-parānugraheṇa

Translation

Lord Śiva said: My dear Lord, my mind and consciousness are always fixed on Your lotus feet, which, as the source of all benediction and the fulfillment of all desires, are worshiped by all liberated great sages because Your lotus feet are worthy of worship. With my mind fixed on Your lotus feet, I am no longer disturbed by persons who blaspheme me, claiming that my activities are not purified. I do not mind their accusations, and I excuse them out of compassion, just as You exhibit compassion toward all living entities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remain Steady in Kṛṣṇa’s Loving Service

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva regretted having become angry and disturbed Dakṣa’s sacrifice. With his mind fixed on Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet, he says that criticism no longer disturbs him.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva excuses his critics out of compassion, following the Lord’s compassion toward all living entities.

  3. 3

    The purport recommends remaining always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, busy in the Lord’s transcendental loving service. Such service carries one beyond the influence of the material qualities.

Key points from the purport
  • As soon as one is in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, however, one is no longer affected by such material activities.
  • One should therefore always be fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, busy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
  • From the statement of Lord Śiva it is understood that he was always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and thus he remained free from material affliction.

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. rudraḥ uvācaLord Śiva said
  2. tavaYour
  3. vara-daO supreme benefactor
  4. vara-aṅghrauprecious lotus feet
  5. āśiṣāby desire
  6. ihain the material world
  7. akhila-arthefor fulfillment
  8. hi apicertainly
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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 could remembering my relationship with the Lord help me respond compassionately to criticism?

Practice

If criticism troubles you today, pause to remember the Lord’s lotus feet before replying, and choose a compassionate response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Steady in Kṛṣṇa’s Loving ServiceThis 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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