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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 18: Diti Vows to Kill King Indra
6.18.186.18.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.18.19

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.18.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मरुतश्च दिते:

पुत्राश्चत्वारिंशन्नवाधिका: ।

त आसन्नप्रजा: सर्वे नीता इन्द्रेण

सात्मताम् ॥ १९ ॥

marutaś ca diteḥ putrāś

catvāriṁśan navādhikāḥ

ta āsann aprajāḥ sarve

nītā indreṇa sātmatām

Translation

The forty-nine Marut demigods were also born from the womb of Diti. None of them had sons. Although they were born of Diti, King Indra gave them a position as demigods.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Can Transform Demoniac Character

  1. 1

    The forty-nine Maruts were born from Diti, and none had sons. Indra gave them a position as demigods.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that devotees of Lord Viṣṇu are called demigods, while those of the opposite character are called demons.

  3. 3

    Even demons can become demigods when their atheistic character is reformed. Their birth does not prevent this transformation.

Key points from the purport
  • Apparently even demons can be elevated to positions as demigods when their atheistic character is reformed.
  • Those who are devotees of Lord Viṣṇu are called demigods, and those who are just the opposite are called demons.
  • Even the demons can be transformed into demigods, as the statement of this verse proves.

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

Resentment and resolve → Constraint and consequence. Family conflict frames a test of intention.

Chapters 18–19 of Canto 6: Diti's vow and discipline. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 18: Diti Vows to Kill King Indra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bhṛgu, the mind-born son of Brahmā, took his birth again from Carṣaṇī, the wife of Varuṇa, and the great sage Vālmīki appeared from Varuṇa’s semen. Agastya and Vasiṣṭha were two sons of Varuṇa and Mitra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. marutaḥthe Maruts
  2. caand
  3. diteḥof Diti
  4. putrāḥsons
  5. catvāriṁśatforty
  6. nava-adhikāḥplus nine
  7. tethey
  8. āsanwere
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 allow for the possibility that someone’s character can change through devotion?

Practice

Take a moment today to turn your attention toward Lord Viṣṇu with a sincere devotional prayer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Can Transform Demoniac CharacterThis 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 6.18.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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