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
6.10.66.10.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.10.7

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sage Dadhīcisince 6.10.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीऋषिरुवाच

धर्मं व: श्रोतुकामेन यूयं मे प्रत्युदाहृता: ।

एष व: प्रियमात्मानं त्यजन्तं सन्त्यजाम्यहम् ॥ ७ ॥

śrī-ṛṣir uvāca

dharmaṁ vaḥ śrotu-kāmena

yūyaṁ me pratyudāhṛtāḥ

eṣa vaḥ priyam ātmānaṁ

tyajantaṁ santyajāmy aham

Translation

The great sage Dadhīci said: Just to hear from you about religious principles, I refused to offer my body at your request. Now, although my body is extremely dear to me, I must give it up for your better purposes since I know that it will leave me today or tomorrow.

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.

Use the Temporary Body for Better Purposes

  1. 1

    Dadhīci explained that his refusal was meant to draw out discussion of religious principles.

  2. 2

    Although his body was extremely dear to him, he knew it would leave him today or tomorrow.

  3. 3

    Knowing its temporary nature, he agreed to give his body for the demigods’ better purposes.

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-ṛṣiḥ uvācathe great saint Dadhīci said
  2. dharmamthe principles of religion
  3. vaḥfrom you
  4. śrotu-kāmenaby the desire to hear
  5. yūyamyou
  6. meby me
  7. pratyudāhṛtāḥreplied to the contrary
  8. eṣaḥthis
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

  • 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 can remembering the body’s temporary nature help me use my time better?

Practice

Use ten minutes of your energy today to help someone rather than seeking extra comfort.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse the Temporary Body for Better PurposesThis 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 6.10.7? 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