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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura

6.10.33 6.11.2-3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.11.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

त एवं शंसतो धर्मं वच: पत्युरचेतस: ।

नैवागृह्णन्त सम्भ्रान्ता: पलायनपरा नृप ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ta evaṁ śaṁsato dharmaṁ

vacaḥ patyur acetasaḥ

naivāgṛhṇanta sambhrāntāḥ

palāyana-parā nṛpa

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Vṛtrāsura, the commander in chief of the demons, advised his lieutenants in the principles of religion, but the cowardly demoniac commanders, intent upon fleeing the battlefield, were so disturbed by fear that they could not accept his words.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fear Can Prevent Us From Hearing

1
Vṛtrāsura advised his lieutenants in the principles of religion.
2
The demoniac commanders were intent upon fleeing the battlefield.
3
Their minds were so disturbed by fear that they could not accept his words.

How it feels

Danger → Fearless longing. A seeming enemy reveals the heart of a great devotee.

Chapters 11–13 of Canto 6: Vṛtrāsura's prayers and final battle. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the prominent commanders of the demons fled, not hearing Vṛtrāsura’s advice. Vṛtrāsura condemned them all as cowards.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.11

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
tethey
evamthus
śaṁsataḥpraising
dharmamthe principles of religion
vacaḥthe words
patyuḥof their master
acetasaḥtheir minds being very disturbed

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Īśānukathā · The science of God
Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.11
In this verse: “religion”, “principles”
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.11
In this verse: “fear”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.11
In this verse: “king”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When has fear made it difficult for me to accept good advice?

Practice

Today, pause before turning away from helpful advice and listen to it fully.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFear Can Prevent Us From HearingThis 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 6.11.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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