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Shloka 3

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

उपलभ्य पुरैवैतद्भगवानब्जसम्भव: । नारायणश्च विश्वात्मा न कस्याध्वरमीयतु: ॥ ३ ॥

upalabhya puraivaitad bhagavān abja-sambhavaḥ nārāyaṇaś ca viśvātmā na kasyādhvaram īyatuḥ

Brahmā, born of the lotus, and Nārāyaṇa, the Soul of the universe, had already foreknown that such a calamity would arise in Dakṣa’s sacrificial arena; therefore they did not go to that yajña.

upalabhyahaving understood/realized
upalabhya:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeVerb
Rootupa√labh (धातु)
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from upa√labh; indeclinable verbal form (क्रियाविशेषण)
purāformerly/earlier
purā:
Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootpurā (अव्यय)
FormAdverb (कालाव्यय)
evaindeed/just
eva:
Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rooteva (अव्यय)
FormParticle (निपात), emphasis
etatthis (matter)
etat:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootetat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
bhagavānthe Blessed Lord
bhagavān:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootbhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular
abja-sambhavaḥthe lotus-born (Brahmā)
abja-sambhavaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootabja (प्रातिपदिक) + sambhava (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: abjāt sambhavaḥ = 'born from the lotus'
nārāyaṇaḥNārāyaṇa
nārāyaṇaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootnārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular
caand
ca:
Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
FormConjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)
viśvātmāthe universal Self
viśvātmā:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootviśva (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: viśvasya ātmā = 'soul of the universe'
nanot
na:
Pratiṣedha (निषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNegation particle (निषेध-निपात)
kasyaof whom/anyone’s
kasya:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootkim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular
adhvaramsacrifice
adhvaram:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootadhvara (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular
īyatuḥshould go/should proceed
īyatuḥ:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√i (धातु)
FormVidhiliṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Dual (द्विवचन); parasmaipada

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.26) , vedāhaṁ samatītāni vartamānāni cārjuna. The Lord says, “I know everything that has happened in the past and is going to happen in the future.” Lord Viṣṇu is omniscient, and He therefore knew what would happen at Dakṣa’s sacrificial arena. For this reason neither Nārāyaṇa nor Lord Brahmā attended the great sacrifice performed by Dakṣa.

B
Brahmā
N
Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu)

FAQs

Because they had already foreseen the improper spirit behind the sacrifice—ritual performed with offense and ego—and therefore did not participate in a yajña that was not aligned with true dharma and devotion.

It teaches that a yajña is not merely an external ritual; when performed with pride or disrespect toward devotees and the Lord, it loses its sanctity and is not worthy of divine participation.

Before doing any religious or charitable act, check the intention—avoid ego and offense, and prioritize sincerity, humility, and devotion over outward display.