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
4.7.74.7.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 4.7.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

विधाय कार्त्स्‍न्येन च तद्यदाह भगवान् भव: ।

सन्दधु: कस्य कायेन सवनीयपशो: शिर: ॥ ८ ॥

vidhāya kārtsnyena ca tad

yad āha bhagavān bhavaḥ

sandadhuḥ kasya kāyena

savanīya-paśoḥ śiraḥ

Translation

After everything was executed exactly as directed by Lord Śiva, Dakṣa’s body was joined to the head of the animal meant to be killed in the sacrifice.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Carry Out Instructions With Care

  1. 1

    Everything was carried out exactly as Lord Śiva had directed.

  2. 2

    The demigods and great sages were careful not to irritate Lord Śiva again. They therefore did whatever he asked.

  3. 3

    Dakṣa’s body was joined to the head of the goat meant for the sacrifice.

Key points from the purport
  • This time, all the demigods and great sages were very careful not to irritate Lord Śiva.
  • It is specifically said here that Dakṣa’s body was joined to the head of an animal (a goat).

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. vidhāyaexecuting
  2. kārtsnyenaall in all
  3. caalso
  4. tatthat
  5. yatwhich
  6. āhawas said
  7. bhagavānthe Lord
  8. bhavaḥŚiva
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

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

Do I carry out instructions carefully after recognizing an earlier mistake?

Practice

Review one instruction you have received and complete it carefully today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCarry Out Instructions With CareThis 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 4.7.8? 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