1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
4.7.514.7.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.52

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 4.7.52inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यद्वितीये केवले परमात्मनि ।

ब्रह्मरुद्रौ च भूतानि भेदेनाज्ञोऽनुपश्यति ॥ ५२ ॥

tasmin brahmaṇy advitīye

kevale paramātmani

brahma-rudrau ca bhūtāni

bhedenājño ’nupaśyati

Translation

The Lord continued: One who is not in proper knowledge thinks that demigods like Brahmā and Śiva are independent, or he even thinks that the living entities are independent.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

No One Acts Independently of the Lord

  1. 1

    To think that Brahmā, Śiva or the living entities are independent shows a lack of proper knowledge. They are not independently separated from the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    The Lord is the Supersoul in every living entity, including Brahmā and Śiva. He directs everyone’s activities within the material modes of nature.

  3. 3

    No one can act independently of the Lord’s sanction. Even Brahmā and Rudra, associated with passion and ignorance, depend upon Him.

Key points from the purport
  • The living entities, including Brahmā, are not independently separated, but are counted within the marginal potency of the Supreme Lord.
  • The Supreme Lord, being the Supersoul in every living entity, including Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, is directing everyone in the activities of the material modes of nature.
  • No one can act independently of the sanction of the Lord, and therefore, indirectly, no one is different from the Supreme Person — certainly not Brahmā and Rudra, who are incarnations of the material nature’s modes of passion and ignorance.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasminHim
  2. brahmaṇithe Supreme Brahman
  3. advitīyewithout a second
  4. kevalebeing one
  5. parama-ātmanithe Supersoul
  6. brahma-rudrauboth Brahmā and Śiva
  7. caand
  8. bhūtānithe living entities
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “material”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “separated”

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

Where in your life do you tend to think you are completely independent?

Practice

Before beginning one activity, pause and acknowledge your dependence on the Supreme Lord’s sanction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNo One Acts Independently of the LordThis 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 4.7.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories