FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.3.2

यदाभिषिक्तो दक्षस्तु ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना । प्रजापतीनां सर्वेषामाधिपत्ये स्मयोऽभवत् ॥ २ ॥
yadābhiṣikto dakṣas tu
[yadaabhishikto dakshas tu]
brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā
[brahmanaa parameshthinaa]
prajāpatīnāṁ sarveṣām
[prajaapateenaam sarveshaam]
ādhipatye smayo ’bhavat
[aadhipatye smayo ’bhavat]
Word-for-word
yadā — when abhiṣiktaḥ — appointed dakṣaḥ — Dakṣa tu — but brahmaṇā — by Brahmā parameṣṭhinā — the supreme teacher prajāpatīnām — of the Prajāpatis sarveṣām — of all ādhipatye — as the chief smayaḥ — puffed up abhavat — he became.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yadābhiṣikto dakṣas tu
yadā
when
abhiṣiktaḥ
appointed
dakṣaḥ
Dakṣa
tu
but
brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā
brahmaṇā
by Brahmā
parameṣṭhinā
the supreme teacher
prajāpatīnāṁ sarveṣām
prajāpatīnām
of the Prajāpatis
sarveṣām
of all
ādhipatye smayo ’bhavat
ādhipatye
as the chief
smayaḥ
puffed up
abhavat
he became.
When Lord Brahmā appointed Dakṣa the chief of all the Prajāpatis, the progenitors of population, Dakṣa became very much puffed up.
Purport

Although he was envious and was inimical towards Lord Śiva, Dakṣa was appointed the chief of all Prajāpatis. That was the cause of his excessive pride. When a man becomes too proud of his material possessions, he can perform any disastrous act, and therefore Dakṣa acted out of false prestige. That is described in this chapter.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
When Dakṣa was appointed by Brahmā to be the chief of all the Prajāpatis, who were the progenitors of population, he became proud. The wealth of Dakṣa, enemy of Śiva, was a cause of his offense in ruling, and became a further cause of offense. That is made clear by saying that he became proud.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Brahmā's appointment made Dakṣa puffed up — being elevated by authority is a spiritual test, not a reward. Promotion that doesn't deepen humility is a setup for fall. Watch how titles change you.
Reflection Questions
  • How has my last promotion or recognition affected my humility?
  • Where is authority making me more arrogant rather than more responsible?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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