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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 · Text 6.1.64

Who is speaking and story frame

तामेव तोषयामास पित्र्येणार्थेन यावता ।

ग्राम्यैर्मनोरमै: कामै: प्रसीदेत यथा तथा ॥ ६४ ॥

tām eva toṣayām āsa

pitryeṇārthena yāvatā

grāmyair manoramaiḥ kāmaiḥ

prasīdeta yathā tathā

Translation

Thus Ajāmila began spending whatever money he had inherited from his father to satisfy the prostitute with various material presentations so that she would remain pleased with him. He gave up all his brahminical activities to satisfy the prostitute.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Find Peace in Faithfulness and Chanting

  1. 1

    Ajāmila spent his inherited money on material gifts to please the prostitute. To satisfy her, he gave up all his brahminical activities.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that illicit sex can ruin one’s character, destroy an exalted position and exhaust one’s wealth. Therefore it is strictly prohibited.

  3. 3

    A Kṛṣṇa conscious gṛhastha should remain satisfied with his wife and find peace by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Ajāmila’s example warns against becoming careless about this.

Key points from the purport
  • There are many instances throughout the world in which even a purified person, being attracted by a prostitute, spends all the money he has inherited.
  • Prostitute hunting is so abominable that the desire for sex with a prostitute can ruin one’s character, destroy one’s exalted position and plunder all one’s money.
  • One should be satisfied with his married wife, for even a slight deviation will create havoc.

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:

Ajāmila begot in the womb of the prostitute ten sons, the last of whom was called Nārāyaṇa. At the time of Ajāmila’s death, when the order carriers of Yamarāja came to take him, he loudly called the name Nārāyaṇa in fear because he was attached to his youngest son.
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. tāmher (the prostitute)
  2. evaindeed
  3. toṣayām āsahe tried to please
  4. pitryeṇahe got from his father’s hard labor
  5. arthenaby the money
  6. yāvatāas long as possible
  7. grāmyaiḥmaterial
  8. manaḥ-ramaiḥpleasing to her mind
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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”, “wealth”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “father”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking peace through chanting, or through desires that could undermine my responsibilities?

Practice

When a desire for material enjoyment arises today, pause and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

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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.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayFind Peace in Faithfulness and ChantingThis 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 6.1.64? Get an answer from the verses themselves.