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Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

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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
6.1.196.1.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.1.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vedavyāsasince 6.1.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अत्र चोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।

दूतानां विष्णुयमयो: संवादस्तं निबोध मे ॥ २० ॥

atra codāharantīmam

itihāsaṁ purātanam

dūtānāṁ viṣṇu-yamayoḥ

saṁvādas taṁ nibodha me

Translation

In this regard, learned scholars and saintly persons describe a very old historical incident involving a discussion between the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu and those of Yamarāja. Please hear of this from me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ground Devotion in Authorized Scripture

  1. 1

    The verse introduces an ancient discussion between the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu and those of Yamarāja. The reader is invited to hear and understand it.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Purāṇas record factual histories, though not in chronological order. Learned Vedic scholars refer to these accounts.

  3. 3

    Devotional service must follow authorized Vedic literature rather than ignore it. A devotee of Kṛṣṇa should accept the authority of both the Vedas and the Purāṇas.

Key points from the purport
  • The Purāṇas, or old histories, are sometimes neglected by unintelligent men who consider their descriptions mythological.
  • Therefore all learned and realized Vedic scholars speak with references to the incidents in the Purāṇas.
  • One should not foolishly consider the Purāṇas mythological.

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

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:

A discussion ensued between the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu and those of Yamarāja, and by hearing that discussion Ajāmila was liberated. He could then understand the bad effect of fruitive activities and could also understand how exalted is the process of devotional service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.1
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atrain this connection
  2. caalso
  3. udāharantithey give as an example
  4. imamthis
  5. itihāsamthe history (of Ajāmila)
  6. purātanamwhich is very old
  7. dūtānāmof the order carriers
  8. viṣṇuof Lord Viṣṇu
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to let authorized scripture guide my understanding of devotional service?

Practice

Reread this translation slowly, with the intention to hear and understand the history that follows.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

3 lectures given on it · quoted in 2 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Show 1 more lecture on it
Quoted in 2 other lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayGround Devotion in Authorized ScriptureThis 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 6.1.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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