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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
  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
6.11.256.11.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.26

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
A turning point forCitraketu / Vṛtrāsura· Vṛtrāsura’s prayer

अजातपक्षा इव मातरं खगा:

स्तन्यं यथा वत्सतरा: क्षुधार्ता: ।

प्रियं प्रियेव व्युषितं विषण्णा

मनोऽरविन्दाक्ष दिद‍ृक्षते त्वाम् ॥ २६ ॥

ajāta-pakṣā iva mātaraṁ khagāḥ

stanyaṁ yathā vatsatarāḥ kṣudh-ārtāḥ

priyaṁ priyeva vyuṣitaṁ viṣaṇṇā

mano ’ravindākṣa didṛkṣate tvām

Translation

O lotus-eyed Lord, as baby birds that have not yet developed their wings always look for their mother to return and feed them, as small calves tied with ropes await anxiously the time of milking, when they will be allowed to drink the milk of their mothers, or as a morose wife whose husband is away from home always longs for him to return and satisfy her in all respects, I always yearn for the opportunity to render direct service unto You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Yearn for the Lord’s Personal Service

  1. 1

    A pure devotee always yearns to associate personally with the Lord and render service to Him. Vṛtrāsura expresses this longing through three familiar examples.

  2. 2

    A baby bird is not satisfied until its mother comes to feed it, and a hungry calf longs for its mother’s milk. These examples show the intensity of the devotee’s longing.

  3. 3

    A devoted wife whose husband is away longs for his return and association. In this way, Vṛtrāsura yearns for the opportunity to serve the lotus-eyed Lord directly.

Key points from the purport
  • A pure devotee always yearns to associate personally with the Lord and render service unto Him.
  • The examples given in this regard are most appropriate.
  • A small baby bird is practically never satisfied except when the mother bird comes to feed it, a small calf is not satisfied unless allowed to suck the milk from the mother’s udder, and a chaste, devoted wife whose husband is away from home is never satisfied until she has the association of her beloved husband.

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.

This verse is a turning point of the arc: Vṛtrāsura's yearning.

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 wish always to chant the glories of the Lord and engage in His service. Let me become unattached to my worldly family and make friendships with the devotees of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ajāta-pakṣāḥwho have not yet grown wings
  2. ivalike
  3. mātaramthe mother
  4. khagāḥsmall birds
  5. stanyamthe milk from the udder
  6. yathājust as
  7. vatsatarāḥthe young calves
  8. kṣudh-ārtāḥdistressed by hunger
3

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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “mother”, “baby”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “longing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do these examples help me understand about longing to serve the Lord?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute reflecting on one of the verse’s examples, then pray for eagerness to serve the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYearn for the Lord’s Personal ServiceThis 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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