Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

मैत्रेय उवाच इति दक्ष: कविर्यज्ञं भद्र रुद्राभिमर्शितम् । कीर्त्यमाने हृषीकेशे सन्निन्ये यज्ञभावने ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

maitreya uvāca iti dakṣaḥ kavir yajñaṁ bhadra rudrābhimarśitam kīrtyamāne hṛṣīkeśe sanninye yajña-bhāvane

Translation

Śrī Maitreya dit : Ô Vidura, après que tous les présents eurent glorifié Hṛṣīkeśa, la conscience de Dakṣa fut purifiée, et il fit en sorte de reprendre le yajña que les partisans de Śiva avaient ravagé.

Synonyms

• maitreyaḥ: Maitreya
• maitreyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maitreya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyopasaṁhāra (वाक्यसमाप्ति/उद्धरणसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• dakṣaḥ: Dakṣa
• dakṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kaviḥ: the sage/poet
• kaviḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kavi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; apposition to dakṣaḥ

• yajñam: the sacrifice
• yajñam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• bhadra: O good one
• bhadra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhadra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular

• rudra-abhimarśitam: marred by Rudra's touch
• rudra-abhimarśitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक) + abhimarśita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; agrees with yajñam; tatpuruṣa: 'touched/affected by Rudra'; abhimarśita = PPP from √mṛś (मृश्) with abhi-

• kīrtyamāne: while (he was) being praised
• kīrtyamāne: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kīrt (धातु)
• Form: Present passive participle, Locative, Singular

• hṛṣīkeśe: in/when Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu)
• hṛṣīkeśe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛṣīkeśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; bahuvrīhi: 'whose īśa (lord) is the senses' / 'lord of senses'

• sanninye: completed/led to conclusion
• sanninye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nī (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular; with prefix sam-

• yajña-bhāvane: in the sacrificial arena
• yajña-bhāvane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'in the place/means of sacrifice'

Characters & Entities

• Maitreya
• Daksha
• Vidura
• Rudra (Shiva)
• Hrishikesha (Vishnu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about completing a yajna after disturbance or offense?

This verse shows that when Lord Viṣṇu (Hṛṣīkeśa) is sincerely glorified, even a sacrifice previously disrupted—here, touched by Rudra—can be properly concluded with restored sanctity.

Why does Maitreya mention Rudra’s involvement in Daksha’s sacrifice?

Because Rudra’s intervention marked the turning point of the episode—Dakṣa’s pride was checked, reconciliation occurred, and the sacrifice could only be completed in a purified spirit centered on glorification of Viṣṇu.

How can this shloka be applied in modern devotional life?

When relationships or spiritual efforts are disrupted by anger or offense, re-centering on sincere kīrtana and remembrance of the Lord helps restore clarity, humility, and a proper conclusion to one’s duties.