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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 13: King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction
6.13.166.13.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.13.17

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.13.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततो गतो ब्रह्मगिरोपहूत

ऋतम्भरध्याननिवारिताघ: ।

पापस्तु दिग्देवतया हतौजा-

स्तं नाभ्यभूदवितं विष्णुपत्‍न्या ॥ १७ ॥

tato gato brahma-giropahūta

ṛtambhara-dhyāna-nivāritāghaḥ

pāpas tu digdevatayā hataujās

taṁ nābhyabhūd avitaṁ viṣṇu-patnyā

Translation

Indra’s sins were diminished by the influence of Rudra, the demigod of all directions. Because Indra was protected by the goddess of fortune, Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, who resides in the lotus clusters of Mānasa-sarovara Lake, Indra’s sins could not affect him. Indra was ultimately relieved of all the reactions of his sinful deeds by strictly worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. Then he was called back to the heavenly planets by the brāhmaṇas and reinstated in his position.

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.

Worship of Viṣṇu Brings Complete Relief

  1. 1

    Indra’s sins were diminished by the influence of Rudra, the demigod of all directions.

  2. 2

    The goddess of fortune, Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, protected Indra in the lotus clusters of Mānāsa-sarovara Lake, so his sins could not affect him.

  3. 3

    By strictly worshiping Lord Viṣṇu, Indra was ultimately relieved of all reactions to his sinful deeds. The brāhmaṇas then called him back to the heavenly planets and reinstated him.

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:

He went to Mānasa-sarovara, and there, under the protection of the goddess of fortune, he meditated for one thousand years. During this time, Nahuṣa reigned over the heavenly planets as the representative of Indra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. gataḥgone
  3. brahmaof the brāhmaṇas
  4. girāby the words
  5. upahūtaḥbeing invited
  6. ṛtambharaon the Supreme Lord, who maintains truth
  7. dhyānaby meditation
  8. nivāritaimpeded
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “sinful”, “sins”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “worshiping”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “protected”

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 can I become more steady and attentive in worshiping the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a few undistracted minutes today to offer a prayer to Lord Viṣṇu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship of Viṣṇu Brings Complete ReliefThis 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 6.13.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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