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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
4.7.44.7.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.5

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

बाहुभ्यामश्विनो: पूष्णो हस्ताभ्यां कृतबाहव: ।

भवन्‍त्वध्वर्यवश्चान्ये बस्तश्मश्रुर्भृगुर्भवेत् ॥ ५ ॥

bāhubhyām aśvinoḥ pūṣṇo

hastābhyāṁ kṛta-bāhavaḥ

bhavantv adhvaryavaś cānye

basta-śmaśrur bhṛgur bhavet

Translation

Those who have had their arms cut off will have to work with the arms of Aśvinī-kumāra, and those whose hands were cut off will have to do their work with the hands of Pūṣā. The priests will also have to act in that manner. As for Bhṛgu, he will have the beard from the goat’s head.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purifying Consciousness Is Life’s Success

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva arranged help for those whose arms or hands had been cut off, and Bhṛgu was to receive a goat’s beard.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that Dakṣa remained intelligent despite receiving a goat’s head. It concludes that the brain is an instrument, while real intelligence, mind and consciousness belong to the individual soul.

  3. 3

    The purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to purify consciousness by turning it from matter to Kṛṣṇa. Anyone who takes up Kṛṣṇa consciousness can attain life’s highest perfection and return to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Bhṛgu Muni, a great supporter of Dakṣa, was awarded the beard of the goat’s head which was substituted for the head of Dakṣa.
  • The real intelligence, mind and consciousness are part of the particular individual soul.
  • Therefore it is definitely concluded that the brain substance is not the center of intelligence; it is the consciousness of a particular soul that works intelligently.

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. bāhubhyāmwith two arms
  2. aśvinoḥof Aśvinī-kumāra
  3. pūṣṇaḥof Pūṣā
  4. hastābhyāmwith two hands
  5. kṛta-bāhavaḥthose in need of arms
  6. bhavantuthey will have to
  7. adhvaryavaḥthe priests
  8. caand
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purify”

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

What occupies my consciousness, and how can I turn it toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside two minutes today to turn your attention from material concerns to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.7's connections

Live this todayPurifying Consciousness Is Life’s SuccessThis 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 4.7.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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