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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

6.18.37 6.18.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.18.38

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Ditisince 6.18.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निशम्य तद्वचो विप्रो विमना: पर्यतप्यत ।

अहो अधर्म: सुमहानद्य मे समुपस्थित: ॥ ३८ ॥

niśamya tad-vaco vipro

vimanāḥ paryatapyata

aho adharmaḥ sumahān

adya me samupasthitaḥ

Translation

Upon hearing Diti’s request, Kaśyapa Muni was very much aggrieved. “Alas,” he lamented, “now I face the danger of the impious act of killing Indra.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Not Every Desire Should Be Welcomed

1
Kaśyapa Muni had been eager to fulfill Diti’s desire.
2
When he heard that she wanted a son to kill Indra, his happiness immediately disappeared.
3
He was opposed to the killing and lamented the danger of becoming involved in such an impious act.

Key points from the purport

Although Kaśyapa Muni was eager to fulfill the desire of his wife Diti, when he heard that she wanted a son to kill Indra his jubilation was immediately reduced to nothing because he was averse to the idea.

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

Chapter 18: Diti Vows to Kill King Indra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In corroboration of the Vedic injunction vidvāṁsam api karṣati, Kaśyapa Muni was attracted to his beautiful wife and promised to grant her any request. When, however, she requested a son who would kill Indra, he condemned himself, and he advised his wife Diti to follow the Vaiṣṇava ritualistic ceremonies to purify herself.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.18

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

niśamyahearing
tat-vacaḥher words
vipraḥthe brāhmaṇa
vimanāḥaggrieved
paryatapyatalamented
ahoalas
adharmaḥimpiety
su-mahānvery great

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
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.18
In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.18
In this verse: “danger”
Viraha · Longing in separation
Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.18
In this verse: “lamented”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How do I respond when pleasing someone could involve wrongdoing?

Practice

Before agreeing to a request today, pause to consider whether fulfilling it could harm someone.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNot Every Desire Should Be WelcomedThis 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.

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