Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.9.11
Ūti· What drives us to actCareful Chanting Preserves the Intended Meaning
“After Viśvarūpa was killed, his father, Tvaṣṭā, performed ritualistic ceremonies to kill Indra. He offered oblations in the sacrificial fire, saying, “O enemy of Indra, flourish to kill your enemy without delay.””
What the purport teaches
- After Viśvarūpa was killed, Tvaṣṭā performed a sacrifice to create an enemy who would kill Indra.
- Tvaṣṭā chanted the mantra long instead of short. This changed its meaning from “the enemy of Indra” to “Indra, who is an enemy.”
- Because of this defect in chanting, Vṛtrāsura appeared as one of whom Indra was the enemy. The result differed from Tvaṣṭā’s intention.
Try this today
Carefully reread the purport’s explanation of the two meanings of indra-śatro.
Ask yourself
How much care do I give to the pronunciation and meaning of what I chant?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.