6Read on Vedabase
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Canto 6 · 19 chapters · 851 verses · 14 stories
Prescribed Duties for Mankind
The Sixth Canto describes protection by the Lord through Ajāmila’s deliverance, the histories of Dakṣa and his descendants, and the lives of Indra, Vṛtrāsura and Citraketu. These accounts show the power of the holy name and the Lord’s mercy, directing us toward devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
What this canto speaks about · the ten subjects
Īśānukathā 213Ūti 148Mukti 125Poṣaṇa 105Manvantara 89Visarga 83Āśraya 65Nirodha 13Sthāna 9Sarga 1
- 1Chapter 1The History of the Life of AjāmilaAjāmila’s sinful life brings him before Yamarāja’s messengers, but Lord Viṣṇu’s servants come to protect him.Mostly Ūti ·68 verses · Ajāmila’s deliverance
- 2Chapter 2Ajāmila Delivered by the ViṣṇudūtasThe Viṣṇudūtas explain the holy name’s purifying power, and Ajāmila turns fully toward devotional service.Mostly Mukti ·49 verses · Ajāmila’s deliverance
- 3Chapter 3Yamarāja Instructs His MessengersYamarāja teaches his messengers about the Supreme Lord, His devotees and the power of chanting His name.Mostly Poṣaṇa ·35 verses · Yamarāja instructs his messengers
- 4Chapter 4The Haṁsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajāpati DakṣaSoma stops the Pracetās from destroying trees; their son Dakṣa later pleases Lord Viṣṇu with prayers.Mostly Īśānukathā ·54 verses · Dakṣa’s prayers to the Lord
- 5Chapter 5Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati DakṣaNārada guides Dakṣa’s sons toward renunciation, and Dakṣa curses him.Mostly Mukti ·44 verses · Nārada guides Dakṣa’s sons
- 6Chapter 6The Progeny of the Daughters of DakṣaDakṣa’s sixty daughters marry exalted personalities, and their descendants fill the universe with living beings.Mostly Visarga ·45 verses · Dakṣa’s daughters fill the universe
- 7Chapter 7Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati.Indra neglects Bṛhaspati, loses his prosperity, and joins the demigods in accepting Viśvarūpa as priest.Mostly Īśānukathā ·40 verses · Indra’s pride and the Lord’s protection
- 8Chapter 8The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca ShieldThe Nārāyaṇa-kavaca prayers invoke the Lord’s protection and enable Indra to conquer his enemies.Mostly Poṣaṇa ·42 verses · Indra’s pride and the Lord’s protection
- 9Chapter 9Appearance of the Demon VṛtrāsuraIndra kills Viśvarūpa; Tvaṣṭā’s sacrifice produces Vṛtrāsura, and the frightened demigods seek the Supreme Lord’s shelter.Mostly Īśānukathā ·55 verses · Vṛtrāsura appears
- 10Chapter 10The Battle Between the Demigods and VṛtrāsuraDadhīci gives up his body for the demigods, who make a thunderbolt and battle Vṛtrāsura’s forces.Mostly Īśānukathā ·33 verses · Dadhīci gives his body
- 11Chapter 11The Transcendental Qualities of VṛtrāsuraVṛtrāsura faces the demigods alone and expresses his desire for the Lord’s service rather than material gain.Mostly Īśānukathā ·27 verses · Vṛtrāsura’s devotion in battle
- 12Chapter 12Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious DeathVṛtrāsura teaches Indra that victory and defeat depend on the Supreme Lord, then dies in battle.Mostly Īśānukathā ·35 verses · Vṛtrāsura’s devotion in battle
- 13Chapter 13King Indra Afflicted by Sinful ReactionIndra suffers for killing Vṛtrāsura, hides in fear, and receives relief through Lord Viṣṇu’s grace.Mostly Ūti ·23 verses · Indra’s grief after victory
- 14Chapter 14King Citraketu’s LamentationŚukadeva Gosvāmī begins Vṛtrāsura’s previous history as Citraketu, who deeply mourns his only son’s death.Mostly Ūti ·61 verses · Citraketu’s grief and the sages’ counsel
- 15Chapter 15The Saints Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct King CitraketuNārada and Aṅgirā relieve Citraketu’s grief by teaching spiritual identity and the temporary nature of bodily relationships.Mostly Mukti ·28 verses · Citraketu’s grief and the sages’ counsel
- 16Chapter 16King Citraketu Meets the Supreme LordCitraketu hears wisdom from his dead son, receives Nārada’s mantra, and finds shelter at Saṅkarṣaṇa’s lotus feet.Mostly Mukti ·65 verses · Citraketu finds the Lord’s shelter
- 17Chapter 17Mother Pārvatī Curses CitraketuPārvatī curses Citraketu to become a demon, but he remains fearless and devoted to the Lord.Mostly Īśānukathā ·41 verses · Citraketu accepts Pārvatī’s curse
- 18Chapter 18Diti Vows to Kill King IndraDiti seeks a son to kill Indra, but the Lord protects the embryo Indra cuts into pieces.Mostly Ūti ·78 verses · Diti’s vow and the Lord’s mercy
- 19Chapter 19Performing the Puṁsavana Ritualistic CeremonyŚukadeva Gosvāmī explains the puṁsavana vow, including devoted worship of Lord Viṣṇu and mother Lakṣmī.Mostly Manvantara ·28 verses · Diti’s vow and the Lord’s mercy
Chapter lines and stories are short summaries drawn from the Bhāgavatam's own chapter summaries and translations. Read each chapter in full for the text itself.