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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 12: Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious Death
6.12.196.12.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.20

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Indrasince 6.12.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भवानतार्षीन्मायां वै वैष्णवीं जनमोहिनीम् ।

यद् विहायासुरं भावं महापुरुषतां गत: ॥ २० ॥

bhavān atārṣīn māyāṁ vai

vaiṣṇavīṁ jana-mohinīm

yad vihāyāsuraṁ bhāvaṁ

mahā-puruṣatāṁ gataḥ

Translation

You have surmounted the illusory energy of Lord Viṣṇu, and because of this liberation, you have given up the demoniac mentality and have attained the position of an exalted devotee.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotees Help Others Become Purified

  1. 1

    Vṛtrāsura had overcome Lord Viṣṇu’s illusory energy and given up the demoniac mentality. Though considered a demon, he was fully qualified as an exalted devotee.

  2. 2

    The distinction between a demigod and a demon is devotion to Lord Viṣṇu or its opposite. Whatever one’s position, becoming a devotee of the Supreme Lord can bring one to perfection.

  3. 3

    Anyone can be purified by taking shelter of a pure devotee and shaping their character according to that devotee’s direction. The pure devotee serves the Lord by helping others in this way.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore one who becomes a Vaiṣṇava attains the position of a mahā-pauruṣya.
  • Vṛtrāsura was considered a demon, but actually he was more than qualified as a devotee, or mahā-pauruṣya.
  • If one somehow becomes a devotee of the Supreme Lord, whatever his position, he can be brought to the position of a perfect person.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 6.12.20 quotesSB 2.4.18

Therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī says in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.18): “Kirātas, Hūṇas, Āndhras, Pulindas, Pulkaśas, Ābhīras, Śumbhas, Yavanas and members of the Khasa races, and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, for He is the supreme power.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 12: Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious Death

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. Not seeing the hand of the Supreme in every action, a fool considers himself the ruler and controller of everything.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.12
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhavānyour good self
  2. atārṣīthas surmounted
  3. māyāmthe illusory energy
  4. vaiindeed
  5. vaiṣṇavīmof Lord Viṣṇu
  6. jana-mohinīmwhich deludes the mass of people
  7. yatsince
  8. vihāyagiving up
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotion”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “purified”

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to shape my character according to a pure devotee’s guidance?

Practice

Choose one instruction from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s purport here and write down one way you will apply it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 2.4.18

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 6.12's connections

Live this todayPure Devotees Help Others Become PurifiedThis 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 6.12.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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