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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 ›
Canto 6 · Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and Vṛtrāsura
6.10.36.10.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.10.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

जिजीविषूणां जीवानामात्मा प्रेष्ठ इहेप्सित: ।

क उत्सहेत तं दातुं भिक्षमाणाय विष्णवे ॥ ४ ॥

jijīviṣūṇāṁ jīvānām

ātmā preṣṭha ihepsitaḥ

ka utsaheta taṁ dātuṁ

bhikṣamāṇāya viṣṇave

Translation

In this material world, every living entity is very much addicted to his material body. Struggling to keep his body forever, everyone tries to protect it by all means, even at the sacrifice of all his possessions. Therefore, who would be prepared to deliver his body to anyone, even if it were demanded by Lord Viṣṇu?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Body Is Very Dear

  1. 1

    Protecting the body is the natural desire of all living entities. People may sacrifice all their possessions to preserve it.

  2. 2

    The purport describes the usual order of protection: first the body, then religious principles, and then possessions.

  3. 3

    Although the demigods requested his body according to Lord Viṣṇu’s order, Dadhīci superficially refused.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said, ātmānaṁ sarvato rakṣet tato dharmaṁ tato dhanam: one must protect his body by all means; then he may protect his religious principles and thereafter his possessions.
  • No one wants to give up his body unless it is forcibly given away.
  • Even though the demigods said that they were demanding Dadhīci’s body for their benefit in accordance with the order of Lord Viṣṇu, Dadhīci superficially refused to give them his body.

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

Offense and dread → Moral reckoning. Heroic power does not guarantee inner freedom.

Chapters 7–10 of Canto 6: Indra, Bṛhaspati and the emergence of Vṛtrāsura. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As described in this chapter, after Indra obtained the body of Dadhīci, a thunderbolt was prepared from Dadhīci’s bones, and a fight took place between Vṛtrāsura and the demigods. Following the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods approached Dadhīci Muni and begged for his body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jijīviṣūṇāmaspiring to remain alive
  2. jīvānāmof all living entities
  3. ātmāthe body
  4. preṣṭhaḥvery dear
  5. ihahere
  6. īpsitaḥdesired
  7. kaḥwho
  8. utsahetacan bear
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.10

    In this verse: “protect”, “protecting”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.10

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.10

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How strongly does my desire for bodily protection influence my choices?

Practice

Notice one choice today in which bodily comfort or protection takes priority, and reflect on that attachment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Body Is Very DearThis 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 6.10.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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