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

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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 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura
6.11.206.11.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.21

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Vṛtrāsurasince 6.11.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अहं समाधाय मनो यथाह न:

सङ्कर्षणस्तच्चरणारविन्दे ।

त्वद्वज्ररंहोलुलितग्राम्यपाशो

गतिं मुनेर्याम्यपविद्धलोक: ॥ २१ ॥

ahaṁ samādhāya mano yathāha naḥ

saṅkarṣaṇas tac-caraṇāravinde

tvad-vajra-raṁho-lulita-grāmya-pāśo

gatiṁ muner yāmy apaviddha-lokaḥ

Translation

By the force of your thunderbolt, I shall be freed of material bondage and shall give up this body and this world of material desires. Fixing my mind upon the lotus feet of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, I shall attain the destination of such great sages as Nārada Muni, just as Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa has said.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fix the Mind on Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet

  1. 1

    The most important duty at death is to concentrate the mind. Fixing it on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu or Saṅkarṣaṇa makes life successful.

  2. 2

    Vṛtrāsura prepared for his destined death by fixing his mind on Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. He sought freedom from material bondage and the destination of great devotees such as Nārada Muni.

  3. 3

    The material body is described as a rope of material attachment and is destined for destruction. A devotee does not place all faith in it, but longs to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • If one can fix his mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu, Saṅkarṣaṇa or any Viṣṇu mūrti, his life will be successful.
  • Therefore Vṛtrāsura requested Indra to release the thunderbolt immediately, and he prepared himself by fixing his mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
  • The body is not at all good; it is simply a cause of bondage to the material world.

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

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

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

I do not desire to be promoted to the higher planetary systems, even to Dhruvaloka or Brahmaloka, nor do I desire an unconquerable position within this material world. I have no need for such things.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahamI
  2. samādhāyafixing firmly
  3. manaḥthe mind
  4. yathājust as
  5. āhasaid
  6. naḥour
  7. saṅkarṣaṇaḥLord Saṅkarṣaṇa
  8. tat-caraṇa-aravindeat His lotus feet
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I placing my deepest faith: in the temporary body or in Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside one quiet minute today to fix your mind on Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFix the Mind on Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus FeetThis 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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