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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
6.12.46.12.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.12.5

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

वृत्रस्य कर्मातिमहाद्भ‍ुतं तत्

सुरासुराश्चारणसिद्धसङ्घा: ।

अपूजयंस्तत् पुरुहूतसङ्कटं

निरीक्ष्य हा हेति विचुक्रुशुर्भृशम् ॥ ५ ॥

vṛtrasya karmāti-mahādbhutaṁ tat

surāsurāś cāraṇa-siddha-saṅghāḥ

apūjayaṁs tat puruhūta-saṅkaṭaṁ

nirīkṣya hā heti vicukruśur bhṛśam

Translation

The denizens of various planets, like the demigods, demons, Cāraṇas and Siddhas, praised Vṛtrāsura’s deed, but when they observed that Indra was in great danger, they lamented, “Alas! Alas!”

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.

Praise Turns to Lamentation

  1. 1

    Demigods, demons, Cāraṇas and Siddhas witnessed Vṛtrāsura’s deed.

  2. 2

    The observers praised what Vṛtrāsura had accomplished.

  3. 3

    When they saw Indra in great danger, they lamented, crying, “Alas! Alas!”

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. vṛtrasyaof Vṛtrāsura
  2. karmathe accomplishment
  3. ativery
  4. mahāgreatly
  5. adbhutamwonderful
  6. tatthat
  7. surathe demigods
  8. asurāḥand the demons
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “lamented”, “crying”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.12

    In this verse: “danger”

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 notice another person’s danger even while admiring an impressive accomplishment?

Practice

When hearing about someone’s success today, pause to consider anyone affected by it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPraise Turns to LamentationThis 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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