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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 13: King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction
6.13.156.13.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.13.16

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.13.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तावत्‍त्रिणाकं नहुष: शशास

विद्यातपोयोगबलानुभाव: ।

स सम्पदैश्वर्यमदान्धबुद्धि-

र्नीतस्तिरश्चां गतिमिन्द्रपत्‍न्या ॥ १६ ॥

tāvat triṇākaṁ nahuṣaḥ śaśāsa

vidyā-tapo-yoga-balānubhāvaḥ

sa sampad-aiśvarya-madāndha-buddhir

nītas tiraścāṁ gatim indra-patnyā

Translation

As long as King Indra lived in the water, wrapped in the stem of the lotus, Nahuṣa was equipped with the ability to rule the heavenly kingdom, due to his knowledge, austerity and mystic power. Nahuṣa, however, blinded and maddened by power and opulence, made undesirable proposals to Indra’s wife with a desire to enjoy her. Thus Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake.

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.

Power and Opulence Can Blind Judgment

  1. 1

    While Indra remained in the lotus stem, Nahuṣa ruled the heavenly kingdom. His knowledge, austerity and mystic power equipped him to rule.

  2. 2

    Power and opulence nevertheless blinded and maddened Nahuṣa. Desiring to enjoy Indra’s wife, he made undesirable proposals to her.

  3. 3

    Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake. His qualifications did not prevent his downfall when his judgment became blinded.

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 13: King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Unfortunately, however, he was attracted by the beauty of Indra’s wife, Śacīdevī, and because of his sinful desire he had to accept the body of a serpent in his next life. Indra later performed a great sacrifice with the help of exalted brāhmaṇas and saints.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāvatfor so long
  2. triṇākamthe heavenly planet
  3. nahuṣaḥNahuṣa
  4. śaśāsaruled
  5. vidyāby education
  6. tapaḥausterities
  7. yogamystic power
  8. balaand strength
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Do my abilities or advantages ever make me feel entitled to disregard others?

Practice

In one interaction today, consciously set aside any sense of entitlement and respect the other person’s boundaries.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPower and Opulence Can Blind JudgmentThis 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 6.13.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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