1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 6 · Chapter 1: The History of the Life of Ajāmila
6.1.16.1.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.1.2

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 6.1.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रवृत्तिलक्षणश्चैव त्रैगुण्यविषयो मुने ।

योऽसावलीनप्रकृतेर्गुणसर्ग: पुन: पुन: ॥ २ ॥

pravṛtti-lakṣaṇaś caiva

traiguṇya-viṣayo mune

yo ’sāv alīna-prakṛter

guṇa-sargaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Translation

O great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī, unless the living entity is freed from the infection of the material modes of nature, he receives different types of bodies in which to enjoy or suffer, and according to the body, he is understood to have various inclinations. By following these inclinations he traverses the path called pravṛtti-mārga, by which one may be elevated to the heavenly planets, as you have already described [in the Third Canto].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Choose Liberation Over Higher Material Positions

  1. 1

    The modes of material nature give living entities different tendencies and destinations. Material attachment keeps them wandering through higher and lower planetary systems.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, declares that those who worship Him come to Him. Reaching His abode ends the need to return to this material world.

  3. 3

    By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and a bona fide spiritual master, a fortunate soul receives the seed of devotional service. Taking the path of liberation means returning home, back to Godhead, rather than continuing to wander.

Key points from the purport
  • Because of the influence of the various modes of nature, the living entities have various tendencies or propensities, and therefore they are qualified to achieve various destinations.
  • As long as one is materially attached, he wants to be elevated to the heavenly planets because of his attraction to the material world.
  • When one becomes intelligent he takes to nivṛtti-mārga, the path of liberation, and thus instead of rotating within this material world, he returns home, back to Godhead.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 6.1.2 quotesBG 9.25

As Lord Kṛṣṇa explains in Bhagavad-gītā (9.25): “Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; those who worship ancestors go to the ancestors; and those who worship Me will live with Me.”

The purport of SB 6.1.2 quotesCC Madhya 19.151

As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 19.151): “According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Guilt and mortal terror → Mercy and renewed devotion. The holy name opens a path beyond an apparently hopeless death.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 6: Ajāmila and the Viṣṇudūtas. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The History of the Life of Ajāmila

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the speaker of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, has already described creation, subsequent creation and the planetary systems in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Cantos. Now, in this Sixth Canto, which consists of nineteen chapters, he will describe poṣaṇa, or protection by the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pravṛttiby inclination
  2. lakṣaṇaḥsymptomized
  3. caalso
  4. evaindeed
  5. trai-guṇyathe three modes of nature
  6. viṣayaḥpossessing as objectives
  7. muneO great sage
  8. yaḥwhich
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking only a better material position, or freedom from repeated birth and death?

Practice

Write down one material ambition and reflect on how its goal differs from returning to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

3 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Show 1 more lecture on it
Live this todayChoose Liberation Over Higher Material PositionsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 6.1.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories