Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 3

Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance

Devanagari script

प्रजापतेर्दग्धशीर्ष्णो भवत्वजमुखं शिर: । मित्रस्य चक्षुषेक्षेत भागं स्वं बर्हिषो भग: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

prajāpater dagdha-śīrṣṇo bhavatv aja-mukhaṁ śiraḥ mitrasya cakṣuṣekṣeta bhāgaṁ svaṁ barhiṣo bhagaḥ

Translation

Lord Śiva continued: Since the head of Dakṣa has already been burned to ashes, he will have the head of a goat. The demigod known as Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra.

Synonyms

• prajāpateḥ: of Prajāpati (Dakṣa)
• prajāpateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Ekavacana

• dagdha-śīrṣṇaḥ: whose head was burnt
• dagdha-śīrṣṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dagdha (√dah + kta) + śīrṣan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya samāsa ('dagdhaṃ śīrṣaṃ yasya'); Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Ekavacana; qualifies prajāpateḥ

• bhavatu: let it become
• bhavatu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Loṭ lakāra (imperative), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• aja-mukham: the head of a goat
• aja-mukham: Pradhāna-nāmavācaka (प्रधाना/समाना-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aja (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa samāsa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'ajasya mukham'); Napuṁsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; here predicate nominative with śiraḥ

• śiraḥ: head
• śiraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsaka, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• mitrasya: of Mitra
• mitrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Ekavacana

• cakṣuṣā: with (his) eye
• cakṣuṣā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakṣus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsaka, Tṛtīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• īkṣeta: may he see
• īkṣeta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: īkṣ (ईक्ष् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (optative), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; ātmanepada

• bhāgam: share/portion
• bhāgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana

• svam: his own
• svam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti, Ekavacana; agrees with bhāgam

• barhiṣaḥ: of the sacrificial grass (Barhis)
• barhiṣaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: barhis (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napuṁsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Ekavacana

• bhagaḥ: Bhaga (a deity)
• bhagaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana

Characters & Entities

• Prajāpati Dakṣa
• Mitra
• Bhaga
• Lord Śiva

FAQs

Why did Daksha receive a goat’s head in Srimad Bhagavatam?

Because Dakṣa’s head was burned in the aftermath of his offense and the disruption of the sacrifice; as part of restoration, a goat’s head was granted—symbolizing both correction of pride and the merciful re-establishment of order.

What is the meaning of Mitra and Bhaga being restored in Daksha yajna?

This verse describes the healing and reinstatement of the devas harmed during the conflict—Mitra regains sight, and Bhaga receives his proper sacrificial share—showing that dharma is restored when the quarrel ends.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

It teaches that arrogance and disrespect lead to loss, while humility and reconciliation restore harmony—repairing relationships and making amends is part of real dharma.