FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.15.48-49

¨ हिंस्रं द्रव्यमयं काम्यमग्निहोत्राद्यशान्तिदम् । दर्शश्च पूर्णमासश्च चातुर्मास्यं पशु: सुत: ॥ ४८ ॥ एतदिष्टं प्रवृत्ताख्यं हुतं प्रहुतमेव च । पूर्तं सुरालयारामकूपाजीव्यादिलक्षणम् ॥ ४९ ॥
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam
[himsram dravyamayam kaamyam]
agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam
[agni-hotraady-ashaantidam]
darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca
[darshash cha poornamaasash cha]
cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
[chaaturmaasyam pashuh sutah]
etad iṣṭaṁ pravṛttākhyaṁ
[etad ishtam pravrittaakhyam]
hutaṁ prahutam eva ca
[hutam prahutam eva cha]
pūrtaṁ surālayārāma-
[poortam suraalayaaraama-]
kūpājīvyādi-lakṣaṇam
[koopaajeevyaadi-lakshanam]
hiṁsram — a system of killing and sacrificing animals dravya-mayam — requiring much paraphernalia kāmyam — full of unlimited material desires agni-hotra-ādi — ritualistic ceremonies such as the agni-hotra-yajña aśānti-dam — causing anxieties darśaḥ — the darśa ritualistic ceremony ca — and pūrṇamāsaḥ — the pūrṇamāsa ritualistic ceremony ca — also cāturmāsyam — observing four months of regulative principles paśuḥ — the ceremony of sacrificing animals or paśu-yajña sutaḥ — the soma-yajña etat — of all this iṣṭam — the goal pravṛtta-ākhyam — known as material attachment hutam — Vaiśvadeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead prahutam — a ceremony called Baliharaṇa eva — indeed ca — also pūrtam — for the benefit of the public sura-ālaya — constructing temples for demigods ārāma — resting houses and gardens kūpa — digging wells ājīvya-ādi — activities like distributing food and water lakṣaṇam — symptoms.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
hiṁsraṁ dravyamayaṁ kāmyam
hiṁsram
a system of killing and sacrificing animals
dravya-mayam
requiring much paraphernalia
kāmyam
full of unlimited material desires
agni-hotrādy-aśāntidam
agni-hotra-ādi
ritualistic ceremonies such as the agni-hotra-yajña
aśānti-dam
causing anxieties
darśaḥ
the darśa ritualistic ceremony
darśaś ca pūrṇamāsaś ca
ca
and
pūrṇamāsaḥ
the pūrṇamāsa ritualistic ceremony
ca
also
cāturmāsyaṁ paśuḥ sutaḥ
cāturmāsyam
observing four months of regulative principles
paśuḥ
the ceremony of sacrificing animals or paśu-yajña
sutaḥ
the soma-yajña
etad iṣṭaṁ pravṛttākhyaṁ
etat
of all this
iṣṭam
the goal
pravṛtta-ākhyam
known as material attachment
hutaṁ prahutam eva ca
hutam
Vaiśvadeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
prahutam
a ceremony called Baliharaṇa
eva
indeed
ca
also
pūrtaṁ surālayārāma-
pūrtam
for the benefit of the public
sura-ālaya
constructing temples for demigods
ārāma
resting houses and gardens
kūpājīvyādi-lakṣaṇam
kūpa
digging wells
ājīvya-ādi
activities like distributing food and water
lakṣaṇam
symptoms.
The ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices known as agni-hotra-yajña, darśa-yajña, pūrṇamāsa-yajña, cāturmāsya-yajña, paśu-yajña and soma-yajña are all symptomized by the killing of animals and the burning of many valuables, especially food grains, all for the fulfillment of material desires and the creation of anxiety. Performing such sacrifices, worshiping Vaiśvadeva, and performing the ceremony of Baliharaṇa, which all supposedly constitute the goal of life, as well as constructing temples for demigods, building resting houses and gardens, digging wells for the distribution of water, establishing booths for the distribution of food, and performing activities for public welfare — these are all symptomized by attachment to material desires.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The ritualistic sacrifices known as agni-hotra–yajña, darśa-yajña, pūrṇamāsa-yajña, cāturmāsya-yajña, paśu-yajña, soma-yajña, Vaiśvadeva and other offerings are the approved path of pravṛtti, producing great material attachment and include killing of animals and offering ingredients to fulfill material desires. It also includes public welfare projects, constructing temples, gardens and wells, and giving sustenance. Hiṁsram means animal killing. Aśaṇtidam means that it produces great attachment. Various types of sacrifices are mentioned (ādi). Paśuḥ means an animal sacrifice. Sutaḥ means a soma sacrifice. Hutam is an offering to the Vaiśvadevas. Prahutam means offering of food. All these are called sacrifice (iṣṭam). Ājīvya means building water holes etc.
The great Vedic sacrifices — agni-hotra, darśa, pūrṇamāsa, cāturmāsya, paśu, soma — involve killing animals and burning grains for material rewards. They elevate temporarily but do not liberate. Choose your sacrifices by what they ultimately produce.
Reflection Questions
  • Which of your 'sacrifices' produce temporary rewards but no liberation?
  • What kind of sacrifice would actually move you toward Kṛṣṇa?
📝 My note

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