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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
6.12.336.12.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.34

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

तदा च खे दुन्दुभयो विनेदु-

र्गन्धर्वसिद्धा: समहर्षिसङ्घा: ।

वार्त्रघ्नलिङ्गैस्तमभिष्टुवाना

मन्त्रैर्मुदा कुसुमैरभ्यवर्षन् ॥ ३४ ॥

tadā ca khe dundubhayo vinedur

gandharva-siddhāḥ samaharṣi-saṅghāḥ

vārtra-ghna-liṅgais tam abhiṣṭuvānā

mantrair mudā kusumair abhyavarṣan

Translation

When Vṛtrāsura was killed, the Gandharvas and Siddhas in the heavenly planets beat kettledrums in jubilation. With Vedic hymns they celebrated the prowess of Indra, the killer of Vṛtrāsura, praising Indra and showering flowers upon him with great pleasure.

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.

The Heavenly Beings Celebrate Indra’s Victory

  1. 1

    When Vṛtrāsura was killed, the Gandharvas and Siddhas in the heavenly planets beat kettledrums in jubilation.

  2. 2

    They celebrated Indra’s prowess with Vedic hymns, praising him as the killer of Vṛtrāsura.

  3. 3

    With great pleasure, they showered flowers upon Indra.

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:

Thus he emerged from Vṛtrāsura’s abdomen and severed the demon’s head from his body with his powerful thunderbolt. Severing the demon’s head took one complete year to accomplish.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tadāat that time
  2. caalso
  3. khein the higher planetary systems in the sky
  4. dundubhayaḥthe kettledrums
  5. vineduḥsounded
  6. gandharvathe Gandharvas
  7. siddhāḥand the Siddhas
  8. sa-maharṣi-saṅghāḥwith the assembly of saintly persons
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

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

How do the sounds, words and flowers described here express the heavenly beings’ joy?

Practice

Read the translation and name its three expressions of celebration: kettledrums, Vedic hymns and showers of flowers.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Heavenly Beings Celebrate Indra’s VictoryThis 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 6.12.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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