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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 6.1.65

Who is speaking and story frame

विप्रां स्वभार्यामप्रौढां कुले महति लम्भिताम् ।

विससर्जाचिरात्पाप: स्वैरिण्यापाङ्गविद्धधी: ॥ ६५ ॥

viprāṁ sva-bhāryām aprauḍhāṁ

kule mahati lambhitām

visasarjācirāt pāpaḥ

svairiṇyāpāṅga-viddha-dhīḥ

Translation

Because his intelligence was pierced by the lustful glance of the prostitute, the victimized brāhmaṇa Ajāmila engaged in sinful acts in her association. He even gave up the company of his very beautiful young wife, who came from a very respectable brāhmaṇa family.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Wealth in Kṛṣṇa’s Service

  1. 1

    Ajāmila’s intelligence was pierced by the prostitute’s lustful glance. In her association, he engaged in sinful acts and abandoned his young wife from a respectable brāhmaṇa family.

  2. 2

    Ajāmila inherited his father’s money, but used it to serve the prostitute rather than Kṛṣṇa. The purport draws attention to this misuse of his wealth.

  3. 3

    Because of these actions, Ajāmila was condemned and liable to punishment by Yamarāja. Śrīla Prabhupāda traces his downfall to being victimized by lust.

Key points from the purport
  • Customarily everyone is eligible to inherit his father’s property, and Ajāmila also inherited the money of his father.
  • Instead of engaging the money in the service of Kṛṣṇa, he engaged it in the service of a prostitute.
  • He was victimized by the dangerous lustful glance of a prostitute.

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:

He was trained by his parents to become a perfect brāhmaṇa by studying the Vedas and following the regulative principles, but because of his past, this youthful brāhmaṇa was somehow attracted by a prostitute, and because of her association he became most fallen and abandoned all regulative principles. Ajāmila begot in the womb of the prostitute ten sons, the last of whom was called Nārāyaṇa.
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. viprāmthe daughter of a brāhmaṇa
  2. sva-bhāryāmhis wife
  3. aprauḍhāmnot very old (youthful)
  4. kulefrom a family
  5. mahativery respectable
  6. lambhitāmmarried
  7. visasarjahe gave up
  8. acirātvery soon
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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: “lustful”, “wealth”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.1

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “gave up”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could I use a little of what I have in Kṛṣṇa’s service?

Practice

Choose one small use of your money or possessions today that supports service to Kṛṣṇa.

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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 · 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 todayUse Wealth in Kṛṣṇa’s ServiceThis 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 6.1.65? Get an answer from the verses themselves.