1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
6.10.46.10.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.10.5

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 6.10.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीदेवा ऊचु:

किं नु तद् दुस्त्यजं ब्रह्मन् पुंसां भूतानुकम्पिनाम् ।

भवद्विधानां महतां पुण्यश्लोकेड्यकर्मणाम् ॥ ५ ॥

śrī-devā ūcuḥ

kiṁ nu tad dustyajaṁ brahman

puṁsāṁ bhūtānukampinām

bhavad-vidhānāṁ mahatāṁ

puṇya-ślokeḍya-karmaṇām

Translation

The demigods replied: O exalted brāhmaṇa, pious persons like you, whose activities are praiseworthy, are very kind and affectionate to people in general. What can’t such pious souls give for the benefit of others? They can give everything, including their bodies.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Generosity Grows from Compassion

  1. 1

    The demigods described Dadhīci as an exalted brāhmaṇa whose activities were praiseworthy.

  2. 2

    Pious persons like him are kind and affectionate toward people in general.

  3. 3

    Such compassionate souls can give everything, including their bodies, for the benefit of others.

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:

Dadhīci Muni, just to hear from the demigods about the principles of religion, jokingly refused to relinquish his body, but for higher purposes he thereafter agreed to give it up, for after death the body is usually eaten by low animals like dogs and jackals. Dadhīci Muni first merged his gross body made of five elements into the original stock of five elements and then engaged his soul at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-devāḥ ūcuḥthe demigods said
  2. kimwhat
  3. nuindeed
  4. tatthat
  5. dustyajamdifficult to give up
  6. brahmanO exalted brāhmaṇa
  7. puṁsāmof persons
  8. bhūta-anukampināmwho are very sympathetic toward the suffering living entities
3

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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.10

    In this verse: “compassionate”

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

Does my kindness lead me to offer practical help?

Practice

Give a little of your time or resources today to someone who needs help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGenerosity Grows from CompassionThis 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 6.10.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories