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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

6.11.16 6.11.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śrī Vṛtrāsurasince 6.11.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अन्येऽनु ये त्वेह नृशंसमज्ञा

यदुद्यतास्त्रा: प्रहरन्ति मह्यम् ।

तैर्भूतनाथान् सगणान् निशात

त्रिशूलनिर्भिन्नगलैर्यजामि ॥ १७ ॥

anye ’nu ye tveha nṛ-śaṁsam ajñā

yad udyatāstrāḥ praharanti mahyam

tair bhūta-nāthān sagaṇān niśāta-

triśūla-nirbhinna-galair yajāmi

Translation

You are naturally cruel. If the other demigods, unaware of my prowess, follow you by attacking me with raised weapons, I shall sever their heads with this sharp trident. With those heads I shall perform a sacrifice to Bhairava and the other leaders of the ghosts, along with their hordes.

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.

Following Cruelty Has Consequences

1
Vṛtrāsura addressed Indra as naturally cruel.
2
He warned that other demigods might follow Indra into battle without knowing Vṛtrāsura’s prowess.
3
If they attacked, Vṛtrāsura threatened to sever their heads with his trident and offer them in sacrifice to Bhairava and the other leaders of the ghosts.

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:

Such a person has nothing for which to aspire in the three worlds. The Supreme Lord is so kind that He especially favors such a devotee by not giving him opulence that will hamper his devotional service.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

anyeothers
anufollow
yewho
tvāyou
ihain this connection
nṛ-śaṁsamvery cruel
ajñāḥpersons unaware of my prowess
yatif

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I consider someone’s conduct before following their lead?

Practice

Before joining a disagreement today, pause to check whether you would be supporting cruelty.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollowing Cruelty Has ConsequencesThis 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.

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