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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
4.7.24.7.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.3

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 4.7.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

प्रजापतेर्दग्धशीर्ष्णो भवत्वजमुखं शिर: ।

मित्रस्य चक्षुषेक्षेत भागं स्वं बर्हिषो भग: ॥ ३ ॥

prajāpater dagdha-śīrṣṇo

bhavatv aja-mukhaṁ śiraḥ

mitrasya cakṣuṣekṣeta

bhāgaṁ svaṁ barhiṣo bhagaḥ

Translation

Lord Śiva continued: Since the head of Dakṣa has already been burned to ashes, he will have the head of a goat. The demigod known as Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra.

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.

Provision After Injury

  1. 1

    Dakṣa’s head had already been burned to ashes.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva declared that Dakṣa would receive the head of a goat.

  3. 3

    Bhaga would be able to see his share of the sacrifice through Mitra’s eyes.

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. prajāpateḥof Prajāpati Dakṣa
  2. dagdha-śīrṣṇaḥwhose head has been burned to ashes
  3. bhavatulet there be
  4. aja-mukhamwith the face of a goat
  5. śiraḥa head
  6. mitrasyaof Mitra
  7. cakṣuṣāthrough the eyes
  8. īkṣetamay see
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

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 willing am I to receive help when I cannot manage alone?

Practice

Accept help with one task today that you find difficult to do alone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProvision After InjuryThis 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 4.7.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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