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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
6.18.446.18.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.18.45

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kaśyapa Munisince 6.18.45inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीकश्यप उवाच

पुत्रस्ते भविता भद्रे इन्द्रहादेवबान्धव: ।

संवत्सरं व्रतमिदं यद्यञ्जो धारयिष्यसि ॥ ४५ ॥

śrī-kaśyapa uvāca

putras te bhavitā bhadre

indra-hādeva-bāndhavaḥ

saṁvatsaraṁ vratam idaṁ

yady añjo dhārayiṣyasi

Translation

Kaśyapa Muni said: My dear gentle wife, if you follow my instructions regarding this vow for at least one year, you will surely get a son who will be able to kill Indra. However, if you deviate from this vow of following the Vaiṣṇava principles, you will get a son who will be favorable to Indra.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Following the Vow Determines the Outcome

  1. 1

    Kaśyapa Muni told Diti to follow his instructions for at least one year. The promised outcome depended on her adherence to Vaiṣṇava principles.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that indra-hā can mean either one who kills Indra or one who follows him. Kaśyapa Muni’s words therefore carry two meanings.

  3. 3

    An enemy of Indra is naturally friendly to the asuras. But a son friendly to the demigods would not kill Indra.

Key points from the purport
  • The word indra-hā refers to an asura who is always eager to kill Indra.
  • Thus the words indra-hādeva-bāndhavaḥ are equivocal, for they say, “Your son will kill Indra, but he will be very friendly to the demigods.”
  • If a person actually became a friend of the demigods, he certainly would not be able to kill 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:

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. When Diti, following the instructions of Kaśyapa, engaged in devotional service, Indra could understand her purpose, and he began observing all her activities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-kaśyapaḥ uvācaKaśyapa Muni said
  2. putraḥson
  3. teyour
  4. bhavitāwill be
  5. bhadreO gentle woman
  6. indra-hākiller of Indra, or follower of Indra
  7. adeva-bāndhavaḥfriend of the demons (or deva-bāndhavaḥ — friend of the demigods)
  8. saṁvatsaramfor a year
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 6.18

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “favorable”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.18

    In this verse: “friendly”

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

How carefully do I listen to the conditions attached to spiritual instructions?

Practice

Review one spiritual instruction you have accepted and identify what following it faithfully requires.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollowing the Vow Determines the OutcomeThis 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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