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

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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.1.56-57

Who is speaking and story frame

अयं हि श्रुतसम्पन्न: शीलवृत्तगुणालय: ।

धृतव्रतो मृदुर्दान्त: सत्यवाङ्‍मन्त्रविच्छुचि: ॥ ५६ ॥

गुर्वग्‍न्यतिथिवृद्धानां शुश्रूषुरनहङ्‌कृत: ।

सर्वभूतसुहृत्साधुर्मितवागनसूयक: ॥ ५७ ॥

ayaṁ hi śruta-sampannaḥ

śīla-vṛtta-guṇālayaḥ

dhṛta-vrato mṛdur dāntaḥ

satya-vāṅ mantra-vic chuciḥ

gurv-agny-atithi-vṛddhānāṁ

śuśrūṣur anahaṅkṛtaḥ

sarva-bhūta-suhṛt sādhur

mita-vāg anasūyakaḥ

Translation

In the beginning this brāhmaṇa named Ajāmila studied all the Vedic literatures. He was a reservoir of good character, good conduct and good qualities. Firmly established in executing all the Vedic injunctions, he was very mild and gentle, and he kept his mind and senses under control. Furthermore, he was always truthful, he knew how to chant the Vedic mantras, and he was also very pure. Ajāmila was very respectful to his spiritual master, the fire-god, guests, and the elderly members of his household. Indeed, he was free from false prestige. He was upright, benevolent to all living entities, and well-behaved. He would never speak nonsense or envy anyone.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Character Includes Humility and Self-Control

  1. 1

    Ajāmila initially studied the Vedic literature and faithfully followed its instructions. He had the good qualities expected of a perfect brāhmaṇa.

  2. 2

    He followed the rules of celibacy as a brahmacārī and was gentle, truthful, clean and pure. He kept his mind and senses under control.

  3. 3

    He respectfully served his spiritual master, guests and elderly household members without false prestige. He was kind to all living entities, avoided nonsense speech and did not envy anyone.

Key points from the purport
  • A brāhmaṇa is expected to be perfectly pious, to follow all the regulative principles and to have all good qualities.
  • In other words, Ajāmila followed the rules and regulations of celibacy as a perfect brahmacārī and was very softhearted, truthful, clean and pure.
  • How he fell down in spite of all these qualities and thus came to be threatened with punishment by Yamarāja will be described in the following verses.

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:

While performing fruitive activities one can become free from the actions of sinful life through austerity, penance, celibacy, control of the mind and senses, truthfulness and the practice of mystic yoga. By awakening knowledge one may also neutralize sinful reactions.
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. ayamthis person (known as Ajāmila)
  2. hiindeed
  3. śruta-sampannaḥwell educated in Vedic knowledge
  4. śīlaof good character
  5. vṛttagood conduct
  6. guṇaand good qualities
  7. ālayaḥthe reservoir
  8. dhṛta-vrataḥfixed in the execution of the Vedic injunctions
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “chant”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “free from”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which of these qualities most needs my careful attention today?

Practice

Offer one small, respectful service to an elderly family member or a guest today, without seeking praise.

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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.

2 lectures given on it · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

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 todayGood Character Includes Humility and Self-ControlThis 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 6.1.56-57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.