1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
6.13.19-206.13.22-23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.13.21

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

स वाजिमेधेन यथोदितेन

वितायमानेन मरीचिमिश्रै: ।

इष्ट्वाधियज्ञं पुरुषं पुराण-

मिन्द्रो महानास विधूतपाप: ॥ २१ ॥

sa vājimedhena yathoditena

vitāyamānena marīci-miśraiḥ

iṣṭvādhiyajñaṁ puruṣaṁ purāṇam

indro mahān āsa vidhūta-pāpaḥ

Translation

King Indra was favored by Marīci and the other great sages. They performed the sacrifice just according to the rules and regulations, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, the original person. Thus Indra regained his exalted position and was again honored by everyone.

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.

Proper Worship Restores Indra’s Honored Position

  1. 1

    Marīci and the other great sages favored King Indra by performing the sacrifice.

  2. 2

    They followed the rules and regulations, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul and original person.

  3. 3

    Through this worship, Indra regained his exalted position and was again honored by everyone.

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. saḥhe (Indra)
  2. vājimedhenaby the aśvamedha sacrifice
  3. yathājust as
  4. uditenadescribed
  5. vitāyamānenabeing performed
  6. marīci-miśraiḥby the priests, headed by Marīci
  7. iṣṭvāworshiping
  8. adhiyajñamthe Supreme Supersoul
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiping”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “favored”

  • 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

Do I value careful guidance in worship as Indra benefited from the sages’ guidance?

Practice

During worship today, carefully follow one instruction you have already received rather than rushing through it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProper Worship Restores Indra’s Honored PositionThis 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 6.13.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories