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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 18: Diti Vows to Kill King Indra
6.18.426.18.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.18.43

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Ditisince 6.18.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रतिश्रुतं ददामीति वचस्तन्न मृषा भवेत् ।

वधं नार्हति चेन्द्रोऽपि तत्रेदमुपकल्पते ॥ ४३ ॥

pratiśrutaṁ dadāmīti

vacas tan na mṛṣā bhavet

vadhaṁ nārhati cendro ’pi

tatredam upakalpate

Translation

I promised to give her a benediction, and this promise cannot be violated, but Indra does not deserve to be killed. In these circumstances, the solution I have is quite suitable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Can Purify the Heart

  1. 1

    Kaśyapa Muni wants to keep his promise without allowing Indra to be killed. His plan is to train Diti as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa so that she gives up her harmful desire.

  2. 2

    Following the principles of devotional service cleanses the heart. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra can make one fully pure, free from material contamination.

  3. 3

    Even a little practice of Vaiṣṇava principles can save one from the greatest danger of material existence. Even if a practitioner falls, that person is not a loser.

Key points from the purport
  • I shall train her in such a way that instead of always thinking of how to kill Indra, she will become a Vaiṣṇava, a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
  • Thus Kaśyapa Muni tried to transform his wife into a Vaiṣṇavī so that she might give up the idea of killing Indra.
  • Thus Kaśyapa Muni planned to instruct his wife Diti to become a Vaiṣṇava because he wanted to save the life of Indra.

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:

Just to help Indra, Lord Viṣṇu had killed Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu. Because of this, Diti was very envious, and she was eager to have a son who could kill Indra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pratiśrutampromised
  2. dadāmiI shall give
  3. itithus
  4. vacaḥstatement
  5. tatthat
  6. nanot
  7. mṛṣāfalse
  8. bhavetcan be
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “cleanses”, “contamination”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “material”

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 troubling desire could I address through sincere devotional practice?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Can Purify the HeartThis 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 6.18.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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