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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 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation
6.14.26.14.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.3

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 6.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

रजोभि: समसङ्ख्याता: पार्थिवैरिह जन्तव: ।

तेषां ये केचनेहन्ते श्रेयो वै मनुजादय: ॥ ३ ॥

rajobhiḥ sama-saṅkhyātāḥ

pārthivair iha jantavaḥ

teṣāṁ ye kecanehante

śreyo vai manujādayaḥ

Translation

In this material world there are as many living entities as atoms. Among these living entities, a very few are human beings, and among them, few are interested in following religious principles.

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.

Value the Rare Human Opportunity

  1. 1

    The living entities in this material world are as numerous as atoms.

  2. 2

    Among these countless living entities, very few are human beings.

  3. 3

    Even among human beings, few are interested in following religious principles.

How it feels

Parental grief → Detachment and surrender. A flashback discloses the devotional history behind Vṛtrāsura.

Chapters 14–17 of Canto 6: Citraketu's grief, realization and curse. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Among many millions of living entities, the number of human beings is extremely small, and among human beings who are actually religious, only some are eager to be liberated from material existence. Among many thousands of people who desire relief from material existence, one is freed from the association of unwanted persons or is relieved of material contamination.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rajobhiḥwith the atoms
  2. sama-saṅkhyātāḥhaving the same numerical strength
  3. pārthivaiḥof the earth
  4. ihain this world
  5. jantavaḥthe living entities
  6. teṣāmof them
  7. yethose who
  8. kecanasome
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How am I using my human life to follow religious principles?

Practice

Choose one religious principle you already know and make a deliberate effort to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayValue the Rare Human OpportunityThis 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 6.14.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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