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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
4.7.544.7.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.55

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.55inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

एवं भगवतादिष्ट: प्रजापतिपतिर्हरिम् ।

अर्चित्वा क्रतुना स्वेन देवानुभयतोऽयजत् ॥ ५५ ॥

maitreya uvāca

evaṁ bhagavatādiṣṭaḥ

prajāpati-patir harim

arcitvā kratunā svena

devān ubhayato ’yajat

Translation

The sage Maitreya said: Thus Dakṣa, the head of all Prajāpatis, having been nicely instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, worshiped Lord Viṣṇu. After worshiping Him by performing the prescribed sacrificial ceremonies, Dakṣa separately worshiped Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Everyone with Kṛṣṇa at the Center

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu should be offered everything first. His prasāda is then distributed to the demigods.

  2. 2

    A Vaiṣṇava does not deride any living entity, even a small ant. Everyone receives proper respect according to their position.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the center. An elevated devotee sees everything in relationship to Kṛṣṇa, never as independent of Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Viṣṇu should be offered everything, and His prasāda should be distributed to all the demigods.
  • The deity of Bhagālin is worshiped with the prasāda of Viṣṇu, and also, in the famous Lord Śiva temple of Bhuvaneśvara, the prasāda of Lord Viṣṇu or Lord Jagannātha is offered to the deity of Lord Śiva.
  • The offering, however, is in relation to the center, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, or 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.

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. maitreyaḥMaitreya
  2. uvācasaid
  3. evamthus
  4. bhagavatāby the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. ādiṣṭaḥhaving been instructed
  6. prajāpati-patiḥthe head of all the Prajāpatis
  7. harimHari
  8. arcitvāafter worshiping
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotee”

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 respect others while keeping Kṛṣṇa at the center?

Practice

Today, show care toward one small living creature, remembering its relationship to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Everyone with Kṛṣṇa at the CenterThis 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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