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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
6.12.26.12.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.12.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ख आपतत्तद्विचलद्ग्रहोल्कव-

न्निरीक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमजातविक्लव: ।

वज्रेण वज्री शतपर्वणाच्छिनद्

भुजं च तस्योरगराजभोगम् ॥ ३ ॥

kha āpatat tad vicalad graholkavan

nirīkṣya duṣprekṣyam ajāta-viklavaḥ

vajreṇa vajrī śata-parvaṇācchinad

bhujaṁ ca tasyoraga-rāja-bhogam

Translation

Flying in the sky, Vṛtrāsura’s trident resembled a brilliant meteor. Although the blazing weapon was difficult to look upon, King Indra, unafraid, cut it to pieces with his thunderbolt. Simultaneously, he cut off one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms, which was as thick as the body of Vāsuki, the King of the serpents.

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.

Indra Faces the Weapon Without Fear

  1. 1

    Vṛtrāsura’s flying trident resembled a brilliant meteor. Its blazing appearance was difficult to look upon.

  2. 2

    Indra remained unafraid and cut the trident to pieces with his thunderbolt.

  3. 3

    At the same time, he severed one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms, which was as thick as the body of Vāsuki.

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:

After Vṛtrāsura finished speaking, he released his trident against King Indra with great anger, but Indra, using his thunderbolt, which was many times more powerful than the trident, broke the trident to pieces and cut off one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms. Nevertheless, Vṛtrāsura used his remaining arm to strike Indra with an iron mace, making the thunderbolt fall from Indra’s hand.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. khein the sky
  2. āpatatflying toward him
  3. tatthat trident
  4. vicalatrotating
  5. graha-ulka-vatlike a falling star
  6. nirīkṣyaobserving
  7. duṣprekṣyamunbearable to see
  8. ajāta-viklavaḥnot afraid
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

  • 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

What stands out to me about Indra’s steadiness before the blazing weapon?

Practice

When facing one difficult task today, pause and approach it calmly rather than immediately withdrawing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndra Faces the Weapon Without FearThis 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 6.12.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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