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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.13.22-23

Who is speaking and story frame

इदं महाख्यानमशेषपाप्मनांप्रक्षालनं तीर्थपदानुकीर्तनम् । भक्त्युच्छ्रयं भक्तजनानुवर्णनंमहेन्द्रमोक्षं विजयं मरुत्वत: ॥ २२ ॥ पठेयुराख्यानमिदं सदा बुधा:श‍ृण्वन्त्यथो पर्वणि पर्वणीन्द्रियम् । धन्यं यशस्यं निखिलाघमोचनंरिपुञ्जयं स्वस्त्ययनं तथायुषम् ॥ २३ ॥

idaṁ mahākhyānam aśeṣa-pāpmanāṁ

prakṣālanaṁ tīrthapadānukīrtanam

bhakty-ucchrayaṁ bhakta-janānuvarṇanaṁ

mahendra-mokṣaṁ vijayaṁ marutvataḥ

paṭheyur ākhyānam idaṁ sadā budhāḥ

śṛṇvanty atho parvaṇi parvaṇīndriyam

dhanyaṁ yaśasyaṁ nikhilāgha-mocanaṁ

ripuñjayaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ tathāyuṣam

Translation

In this very great narrative there is glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, there are statements about the exaltedness of devotional service, there are descriptions of devotees like Indra and Vṛtrāsura, and there are statements about King Indra’s release from sinful life and about his victory in fighting the demons. By understanding this incident, one is relieved of all sinful reactions. Therefore the learned are always advised to read this narration. If one does so, one will become expert in the activities of the senses, his opulence will increase, and his reputation will become widespread. One will also be relieved of all sinful reactions, he will conquer all his enemies, and the duration of his life will increase. Because this narration is auspicious in all respects, learned scholars regularly hear and repeat it on every festival day.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear and Repeat the Lord’s Glories

  1. 1

    This narration glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, and the exaltedness of devotional service. It also describes devotees such as Indra and Vṛtrāsura.

  2. 2

    Understanding this incident relieves one of sinful reactions, so the learned are advised to read it regularly. Its stated benefits include increased opulence, reputation and duration of life, mastery of the senses and victory over enemies.

  3. 3

    Because the narration is auspicious in every respect, learned scholars regularly hear and repeat it on festival days. Its devotional focus is the glorification of the Lord and His devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

Even if a great personality acquires some opulence, he is always ashamed and regretful if he acquires it illegally. Indra could understand that he was certainly entangled by sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.13
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. idamthis
  2. mahā-ākhyānamgreat historical incident
  3. aśeṣa-pāpmanāmof unlimited numbers of sinful acts
  4. prakṣālanamcleansing
  5. tīrthapada-anukīrtanamglorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Tīrthapada
  6. bhaktiof devotional service
  7. ucchrayamin which there is an increase
  8. bhakta-janathe devotees
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.13

    In this verse: “glorification”, “narration”, “glorifies”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • 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 read this narration, do I notice its praise of devotional service as well as its promised benefits?

Practice

Read this translation aloud today, paying special attention to its glorification of Nārāyaṇa and devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear and Repeat the Lord’s GloriesThis 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 6.13.22-23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.