Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 1

Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise

Devanagari script

मैत्रेय उवाच अथ देवगणा: सर्वे रुद्रानीकै: पराजिता: । शूलपट्टिशनिस्त्रिंशगदापरिघमुद्गरै: ॥ १ ॥ सञ्छिन्नभिन्नसर्वाङ्गा: सर्त्विक्सभ्या भयाकुला: । स्वयम्भुवे नमस्कृत्य कार्त्स्‍न्येनैतन्न्यवेदयन् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

maitreya uvāca atha deva-gaṇāḥ sarve rudrānīkaiḥ parājitāḥ śūla-paṭṭiśa-nistriṁśa- gadā-parigha-mudgaraiḥ

Translation

All the priests and other members of the sacrificial assembly and all the demigods, having been defeated by the soldiers of Lord Śiva and injured by weapons like tridents and swords, approached Lord Brahmā with great fear. After offering him obeisances, they began to speak in detail of all the events which had taken place.

Synonyms

• मैत्रेयः: Maitreya
• मैत्रेयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैत्रेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative singular)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; धातु: वच् (to speak)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्बन्ध/अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय (conjunctive particle: 'then/now')

• देव-गणाः: the hosts of gods
• देव-गणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'देवानां गणाः' (hosts of gods); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Nominative plural)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Nominative plural)

• रुद्र-अनीकैः: by Rudra’s forces
• रुद्र-अनीकैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अनीक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'रुद्रस्य अनीकानि' (Rudra’s troops); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (अनीक), तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• पराजिताः: defeated
• पराजिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराजित (प्रातिपदिक) < जि (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP) 'पराजित' (defeated); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Nominative plural)

• शूल-पट्टिश-निस्त्रिंश-गदा-परिघ-मुद्गरैः: with spears, axes, swords, clubs, iron bars, and hammers
• शूल-पट्टिश-निस्त्रिंश-गदा-परिघ-मुद्गरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक) + पट्टिश (प्रातिपदिक) + निस्त्रिंश (प्रातिपदिक) + गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + परिघ (प्रातिपदिक) + मुद्गर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (list of weapons); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

Characters & Entities

• Maitreya
• Devagaṇas (demigods)
• Rudra (Lord Shiva)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice?

In Canto 4, Chapter 6, the Bhagavatam describes how Lord Śiva’s followers overpower the demigods, showing the grave consequences of offending Śiva and his devotees and disrupting sacred sacrifice through envy and pride.

Why were the demigods defeated by Rudra’s followers in Bhagavatam 4.6?

They were defeated because Rudra’s troops (Śiva’s gaṇas) attacked with overwhelming force after the conflict surrounding Dakṣa’s sacrificial assembly, where disrespect and hostility toward Śiva escalated into violence.

Practical application: what can we learn from this verse in modern life?

It warns that arrogance and disrespect toward saintly persons can bring sudden reversal; humility, restraint, and honoring devotees protect one’s spiritual and social harmony.