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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
6.18.266.18.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.18.27-28

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.18.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इति भावेन सा भर्तुराचचारासकृत्प्रियम् ।

शुश्रूषयानुरागेण प्रश्रयेण दमेन च ॥ २७ ॥

भक्त्या परमया राजन् मनोज्ञैर्वल्गुभाषितै: ।

मनो जग्राह भावज्ञा सस्मितापाङ्गवीक्षणै: ॥ २८ ॥

iti bhāvena sā bhartur

ācacārāsakṛt priyam

śuśrūṣayānurāgeṇa

praśrayeṇa damena ca

bhaktyā paramayā rājan

manojñair valgu-bhāṣitaiḥ

mano jagrāha bhāva-jñā

sasmitāpāṅga-vīkṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

Thinking in this way [with a desire for a son to kill Indra], Diti began constantly acting to satisfy Kaśyapa by her pleasing behavior. O King, Diti always carried out Kaśyapa’s orders very faithfully, as he desired. With service, love, humility and control, with words spoken very sweetly to satisfy her husband, and with smiles and glances at him, Diti attracted his mind and brought it under her control.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pleasing Service Can Conceal Another Aim

  1. 1

    Diti constantly tried to please Kaśyapa, while desiring a son who would kill Indra.

  2. 2

    She faithfully carried out his orders with service, love, humility, self-control and sweet words. Her smiles and glances brought his mind under her control.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that a wife who pleases her husband can receive necessities, ornaments and satisfaction for her senses. Diti’s behavior illustrates this.

Key points from the purport
  • When a woman wants to endear herself to her husband and make him very faithful, she must try to please him in all respects.
  • When the husband is pleased with his wife, the wife can receive all necessities, ornaments and full satisfaction for her senses.
  • Herein this is indicated by the behavior of Diti.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. bhāvenawith the intention
  3. sāshe
  4. bhartuḥof the husband
  5. ācacāraperformed
  6. asakṛtconstantly
  7. priyampleasing activities
  8. śuśrūṣayāwith service
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “love”, “sweetly”, “sweet”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “humility”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.18

    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

What motive lies behind my efforts to please someone?

Practice

Before doing a favor today, honestly name what you hope to receive in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPleasing Service Can Conceal Another AimThis 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 6.18.27-28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.