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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
4.7.484.7.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.49

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.49inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भगवान् स्वेन भागेन सर्वात्मा सर्वभागभुक् ।

दक्षं बभाष आभाष्य प्रीयमाण इवानघ ॥ ४९ ॥

bhagavān svena bhāgena

sarvātmā sarva-bhāga-bhuk

dakṣaṁ babhāṣa ābhāṣya

prīyamāṇa ivānagha

Translation

Maitreya continued: My dear sinless Vidura, Lord Viṣṇu is actually the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices, yet because of His being the Supersoul of all living entities, He was satisfied simply with His share of the sacrificial offerings. He therefore addressed Dakṣa in a pleasing attitude.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Self-Sufficient Lord Accepts Loving Offerings

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, is the supreme enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities. Whatever one does, the ultimate goal is Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    Although self-sufficient, the Lord accepts offerings because He is friendly toward all living entities. Even a leaf, flower or water pleases Him when offered with love.

  3. 3

    The Lord accepted His own share without taking another’s. Vaiṣṇavas accept Viṣṇu as Supreme while giving the demigods proper respect.

Key points from the purport
  • Although He is self-sufficient and does not need anything from anyone, He accepts such offerings because, as Supersoul, He has such a friendly attitude toward all living entities.
  • In the yajña there is a share for the demigods, Lord Śiva, and Lord Brahmā, and a share for Lord Viṣṇu.
  • For a Vaiṣṇava there is no possibility of offending any demigods, and the demigods are also pleased with the Vaiṣṇava because they are faultless devotees of Lord Viṣṇu.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 4.7.49 quotesBG 5.29

In Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) it is said, bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasām: Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, is the supreme enjoyer of all the results of sacrifices, austerities and penances; in whatever one may engage, the ultimate goal is Viṣṇu.

The purport of SB 4.7.49 quotesBG 9.26

It is said in Bhagavad-gītā (9.26), patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati: if any devotee offers Him even a small leaf, or a flower or water, if it is offered with love and affection, the Lord accepts it and is pleased.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. bhagavānLord Viṣṇu
  2. svenawith His own
  3. bhāgenawith the share
  4. sarva-ātmāthe Supersoul of all living entities
  5. sarva-bhāga-bhukthe enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices
  6. dakṣamDakṣa
  7. babhāṣesaid
  8. ābhāṣyaaddressing
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “friendly”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “love”

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

Are you giving more attention to the size of your offering or to the love behind it?

Practice

Offer a little water to Kṛṣṇa with love and affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Self-Sufficient Lord Accepts Loving OfferingsThis 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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