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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
6.13.176.13.19-20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.13.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.13.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं च ब्रह्मर्षयोऽभ्येत्य हयमेधेन भारत ।

यथावद्दीक्षञ्चक्रु: पुरुषाराधनेन ह ॥ १८ ॥

taṁ ca brahmarṣayo ’bhyetya

hayamedhena bhārata

yathāvad dīkṣayāṁ cakruḥ

puruṣārādhanena ha

Translation

O King, when Lord Indra reached the heavenly planets, the saintly brāhmaṇas approached him and properly initiated him into a horse sacrifice [aśvamedha-yajña] meant to please the Supreme Lord.

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.

Sacrifice Is Meant to Please the Lord

  1. 1

    When Indra returned to the heavenly planets, saintly brāhmaṇas approached him.

  2. 2

    They properly initiated him into a horse sacrifice, an aśvamedha-yajña.

  3. 3

    The sacrifice was meant to please the Supreme Lord. Pleasing Him was the purpose of the ceremony.

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:

During this time, Nahuṣa reigned over the heavenly planets as the representative of Indra. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim (Lord Indra)
  2. caand
  3. brahma-ṛṣayaḥthe great saints and brāhmaṇas
  4. abhyetyaapproaching
  5. hayamedhenawith an aśvamedha sacrifice
  6. bhārataO King Parīkṣit
  7. yathāvataccording to the rules and regulations
  8. dīkṣayām cakruḥinitiated
  9. puruṣa-ārādhanenawhich consists of worship of the Supreme Person, Hari
  10. haindeed
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 6.13

    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

When I worship, is my attention on pleasing the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Before your next act of worship, pause and consciously make pleasing the Supreme Lord your intention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySacrifice Is Meant to Please the LordThis 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 6.13.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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