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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

6.11.8 6.11.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.11.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विलोक्य तं वज्रधरोऽत्यमर्षित:

स्वशत्रवेऽभिद्रवते महागदाम् ।

चिक्षेप तामापततीं सुदु:सहां

जग्राह वामेन करेण लीलया ॥ ९ ॥

vilokya taṁ vajra-dharo ’tyamarṣitaḥ

sva-śatrave ’bhidravate mahā-gadām

cikṣepa tām āpatatīṁ suduḥsahāṁ

jagrāha vāmena kareṇa līlayā

Translation

Seeing Vṛtrāsura’s disposition, Indra, the King of heaven, became intolerant and threw at him one of his great clubs, which are extremely difficult to counteract. However, as the club flew toward him, Vṛtrāsura easily caught it with his left hand.

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.

Indra’s Powerful Weapon Is Easily Caught

1
Seeing Vṛtrāsura’s disposition, Indra, the King of heaven, became intolerant.
2
Indra threw a great club that was extremely difficult to counteract.
3
Vṛtrāsura nevertheless caught the flying club easily with his left hand.

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:

Unable to tolerate this, Indra, the King of the demigods, threw his club at Vṛtrāsura, but Vṛtrāsura was such a great hero that he easily caught the club with his left hand and used it to beat Indra’s elephant. Struck by the blow of Vṛtrāsura, the elephant was pushed back fourteen yards and fell, with Indra on its back.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

vilokyaseeing
tamhim (Vṛtrāsura)
vajra-dharaḥthe carrier of the thunderbolt (King Indra)
ativery much
amarṣitaḥintolerant
svahis own
śatravetoward the enemy
abhidravaterunning

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
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

What stands out to me in the contrast between Indra’s powerful throw and Vṛtrāsura’s easy response?

Practice

Note the contrast between “extremely difficult to counteract” and “easily caught” in this translation.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndra’s Powerful Weapon Is Easily CaughtThis 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 6.11.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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