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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 12: Vṛtrāsura’s Glorious Death
6.12.226.12.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.12.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति ब्रुवाणावन्योन्यं धर्मजिज्ञासया नृप ।

युयुधाते महावीर्याविन्द्रवृत्रौ युधाम्पती ॥ २३ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti bruvāṇāv anyonyaṁ

dharma-jijñāsayā nṛpa

yuyudhāte mahā-vīryāv

indra-vṛtrau yudhām patī

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Vṛtrāsura and King Indra spoke about devotional service even on the battlefield, and then as a matter of duty they again began fighting. My dear King, both of them were great fighters and were equally powerful.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Discussing Devotion Even on the Battlefield

  1. 1

    Vṛtrāsura and King Indra spoke about devotional service even on the battlefield.

  2. 2

    After their discussion, they again began fighting as a matter of duty.

  3. 3

    Both were great fighters and were equally powerful.

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:

Then they began to fight again. This time Indra was more powerful, and he severed Vṛtrāsura’s remaining arm.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. bruvāṇauspeaking
  4. anyonyamto one another
  5. dharma-jijñāsayāwith a desire to know the supreme, ultimate religious principle (devotional service)
  6. nṛpaO King
  7. yuyudhātefought
  8. mahā-vīryauboth very powerful
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “king”

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

Can I make room for discussion of devotional service amid my daily duties?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to discuss devotional service with someone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDiscussing Devotion Even on the BattlefieldThis 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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