Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 7

Dakṣa Offends Lord Śiva: Cursing and Countercursing in the Sacrificial Assembly

Devanagari script

सदसस्पतिभिर्दक्षो भगवान्साधु सत्कृत: । अजं लोकगुरुं नत्वा निषसाद तदाज्ञया ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

sadasas-patibhir dakṣo bhagavān sādhu sat-kṛtaḥ ajaṁ loka-guruṁ natvā niṣasāda tad-ājñayā

Translation

Với tư cách chủ tọa, Bhagavān Brahmā đã tiếp đón Dakṣa một cách xứng đáng. Dakṣa đảnh lễ Aja, bậc thầy của muôn loài (Brahmā), rồi theo lệnh Ngài mà an tọa đúng chỗ.

Synonyms

• सदसः: of the assembly
• सदसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th, genitive), एकवचन

• पतिभिः: by the lords/leaders
• पतिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd, instrumental), बहुवचन

• दक्षः: Dakṣa
• दक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• भगवान्: venerable, illustrious
• भगवान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; गुणवाचक विशेषण

• साधु: properly, well
• साधु: Prashamsa (प्रशंसा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साधु (अव्यय/सुबन्त)
• Form: प्रशंसावाचक अव्यय (approving particle: 'well/indeed')

• सत्कृतः: honoured
• सत्कृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्-कृत (कृदन्त; धातु √कृ)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सत् + कृत (well-honoured)

• अजम्: Aja (Brahmā)
• अजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (अज = ब्रह्मा)

• लोकगुरुम्: the teacher of the world
• लोकगुरुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक-गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; लोक + गुरु

• नत्वा: having bowed (to)
• नत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having bowed'

• निषसाद: sat down
• निषसाद: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-षद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तदाज्ञया: by his command
• तदाज्ञया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद्-आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd, instrumental), एकवचन; तद् (his/that) + आज्ञा (command)

Characters & Entities

• Dakṣa
• Aja (Lord Brahmā)

FAQs

Why is Lord Brahmā called Aja in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

In this verse Brahmā is addressed as Aja, “the unborn,” indicating his divine, non-material origin and exalted status as a cosmic creator empowered by the Supreme.

What does this verse teach about proper conduct in a Vedic assembly?

It shows that one should first offer respect to the presiding authority (here, Brahmā), accept due instruction, and only then take one’s seat—honor and humility come before action.

How can I apply the lesson of this shloka in modern life?

Approach mentors and elders with respect, listen to guidance before asserting yourself, and let humility and proper etiquette shape how you enter important discussions.