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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
4.7.324.7.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.33

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The wives of the performers of the sacrificesince 4.7.33inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पत्‍न्य ऊचु:

यज्ञोऽयं तव यजनाय केन सृष्टो

विध्वस्त: पशुपतिनाद्य दक्षकोपात् ।

तं नस्त्वं शवशयनाभशान्तमेधं

यज्ञात्मन्नलिनरुचा द‍ृशा पुनीहि ॥ ३३ ॥

patnya ūcuḥ

yajño ’yaṁ tava yajanāya kena sṛṣṭo

vidhvastaḥ paśupatinādya dakṣa-kopāt

taṁ nas tvaṁ śava-śayanābha-śānta-medhaṁ

yajñātman nalina-rucā dṛśā punīhi

Translation

The wives of the performers of the sacrifice said: My dear Lord, this sacrifice was arranged under the instruction of Brahmā, but unfortunately Lord Śiva, being angry at Dakṣa, devastated the entire scene, and because of his anger the animals meant for sacrifice are lying dead. Therefore the preparations of the yajña have been lost. Now, by the glance of Your lotus eyes, the sanctity of this sacrificial arena may be again invoked.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Mercy Restores Sacred Worship

  1. 1

    The animals in these sacrifices were meant to receive renewed life, demonstrating the strength of the mantras. They were not meant to be unnecessarily killed.

  2. 2

    When the animals were left dead, the sacrificial arena became like a crematorium. The real purpose and pleasing atmosphere of the yajña were lost.

  3. 3

    Lord Viṣṇu is the ultimate objective of such sacrifices. The priests’ wives asked for His merciful glance to restore the animals to life and sanctify the arena.

Key points from the purport
  • Unfortunately, when Dakṣa’s sacrifice was devastated by Lord Śiva, some of the animals were killed.
  • Lord Viṣṇu, being the ultimate objective of such sacrificial ceremonies, was requested by the wives of the priests to glance over the yajña arena with His causeless mercy so that the routine work of the yajña might be continued.
  • The wives of the priests requested that the animals be brought back to life by the glance of Lord Viṣṇu to make a pleasing yajña.

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. patnyaḥ ūcuḥthe wives of the executors of the sacrifice said
  2. yajñaḥthe sacrifice
  3. ayamthis
  4. tavaYour
  5. yajanāyaworshiping
  6. kenaby Brahmā
  7. sṛṣṭaḥarranged
  8. vidhvastaḥdevastated
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “merciful”

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 keep the Lord’s pleasure, rather than outward arrangements alone, at the center of my worship?

Practice

Before worship today, offer a short prayer asking for Lord Viṣṇu’s mercy and help in keeping Him its true objective.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Restores Sacred WorshipThis 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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