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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 12: Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious Death

6.12.15 6.12.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Vṛtrāsurasince 6.12.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पश्य मां निर्जितं शत्रु वृक्णायुधभुजं मृधे ।

घटमानं यथाशक्ति तव प्राणजिहीर्षया ॥ १६ ॥

paśya māṁ nirjitaṁ śatru

vṛkṇāyudha-bhujaṁ mṛdhe

ghaṭamānaṁ yathā-śakti

tava prāṇa-jihīrṣayā

Translation

O my enemy, just look at me. I have already been defeated, for my weapon and arm have been cut to pieces. You have already overwhelmed me, but nonetheless, with a desire to kill you, I am trying my best to fight. I am not at all morose, even under such adverse conditions. Therefore you should give up your moroseness and continue fighting.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perform Your Duty Despite Adversity

1
Although his weapon and arm had been cut to pieces, Vṛtrāsura was not discouraged. He continued trying according to his ability.
2
Vṛtrāsura knew that Indra would defeat him and voluntarily accepted that outcome. Still, he performed his duty as Indra’s opponent.
3
Through his instructions, Vṛtrāsura was effectively acting as Indra’s spiritual master. His example teaches that one should perform one’s duty under all circumstances.

Key points from the purport

Vṛtrāsura was so great and powerful that in effect he was acting as the spiritual master of Indra.
He knew that he was going to be defeated by Indra, and he voluntarily accepted that, but since he was supposed to be Indra’s enemy, he tried his best to kill Indra.
One should perform his duty under all circumstances, even though one may know what the result will be.

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

Chapter 12: Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious Death

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

No one but Him has any independence. The puruṣa (the enjoyer) and prakṛti (the enjoyed) are under the control of the Lord, for it is by His supervision that everything works systematically.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.12

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

paśyalook
māmat me
nirjitamalready defeated
śatruO enemy
vṛkṇacut off
āyudhamy weapon
bhujamand my arm
mṛdhein this fight

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
Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment
Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.12
In this verse: “give up”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.12
In this verse: “duty”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What duty am I tempted to neglect because I expect an unfavorable result?

Practice

Take one concrete step in a duty you have been avoiding because its outcome seems discouraging.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerform Your Duty Despite AdversityThis 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 6.12.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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