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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura
6.11.266.12.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.27

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

ममोत्तमश्लोकजनेषु सख्यं

संसारचक्रे भ्रमत: स्वकर्मभि: ।

त्वन्माययात्मात्मजदारगेहे-

ष्वासक्तचित्तस्य न नाथ भूयात् ॥ २७ ॥

mamottamaśloka-janeṣu sakhyaṁ

saṁsāra-cakre bhramataḥ sva-karmabhiḥ

tvan-māyayātmātmaja-dāra-geheṣv

āsakta-cittasya na nātha bhūyāt

Translation

O my Lord, my master, I am wandering throughout this material world as a result of my fruitive activities. Therefore I simply seek friendship in the association of Your pious and enlightened devotees. My attachment to my body, wife, children and home is continuing by the spell of Your external energy, but I wish to be attached to them no longer. Let my mind, my consciousness and everything I have be attached only to You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Devotee Friendship and Attachment to God

  1. 1

    Vṛtrāsura describes himself as wandering through the material world because of his fruitive activities. He seeks friendship with the Lord’s pious and enlightened devotees.

  2. 2

    He recognizes that attachment to his body, wife, children and home continues under the spell of the Lord’s external energy. He prays to be free from that attachment.

  3. 3

    His desire is that his mind, consciousness and everything he has be attached only to the Lord. His prayer turns from material attachment toward wholehearted devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to the Sixth Canto, Eleventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura.”

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:

Therefore I wish to give up everything for the service of the Lord. I wish always to chant the glories of the Lord and engage in His service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mamamy
  2. uttama-śloka-janeṣuamong devotees who are simply attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. sakhyamfriendship
  4. saṁsāra-cakrein the cycle of birth and death
  5. bhramataḥwho am wandering
  6. sva-karmabhiḥby the results of my own fruitive activities
  7. tvat-māyayāby Your external energy
  8. ātmato the body
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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: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotion”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “friendship”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can friendship with devotees support my desire to become attached to the Lord?

Practice

Reach out to a devotee today and ask to share a few moments of reflection on the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Devotee Friendship and Attachment to GodThis 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 6.11.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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