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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
6.13.186.13.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.13.19-20

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

अथेज्यमाने पुरुषे सर्वदेवमयात्मनि ।

अश्वमेधे महेन्द्रेण वितते ब्रह्मवादिभि: ॥ १९ ॥

स वै त्वाष्ट्रवधो भूयानपि पापचयो नृप ।

नीतस्तेनैव शून्याय नीहार इव भानुना ॥ २० ॥

athejyamāne puruṣe

sarva-devamayātmani

aśvamedhe mahendreṇa

vitate brahma-vādibhiḥ

sa vai tvāṣṭra-vadho bhūyān

api pāpa-cayo nṛpa

nītas tenaiva śūnyāya

nīhāra iva bhānunā

Translation

The horse sacrifice performed by the saintly brāhmaṇas relieved Indra of the reactions to all his sins because he worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in that sacrifice. O King, although he had committed a gravely sinful act, it was nullified at once by that sacrifice, just as fog is vanquished by the brilliant sunrise.

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 Dispels Sin Like Sunrise Dispels Fog

  1. 1

    The horse sacrifice performed by the saintly brāhmaṇas relieved Indra of the reactions to all his sins.

  2. 2

    This relief came because Indra worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the sacrifice.

  3. 3

    Although Indra’s act was gravely sinful, its reaction was nullified at once. The translation compares this to fog vanquished by the brilliant sunrise.

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:

Indra later performed a great sacrifice with the help of exalted brāhmaṇas and saints. In this way he was released from the reactions of his sinful killing of a brāhmaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athatherefore
  2. ijyamānewhen worshiped
  3. puruṣethe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. sarvaall
  5. deva-maya-ātmanithe Supersoul and maintainer of the demigods
  6. aśvamedhethrough the aśvamedha-yajña
  7. mahā-indreṇaby King Indra
  8. vitatebeing administered
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: “worshiped”

  • 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

How does the image of sunrise dispelling fog deepen my appreciation of worship?

Practice

Read the sunrise comparison slowly, then offer a short, attentive prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Dispels Sin Like Sunrise Dispels FogThis 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 6.13.19-20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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