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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 19: Performing the Puṁsavana Ritualistic Ceremony
6.19.156.19.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.19.16

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.19.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत: स्तुवीत स्तोत्रेण भक्तिप्रह्वेण

चेतसा ।

यज्ञोच्छिष्टमवघ्राय पुनरभ्यर्चयेद्धरिम् ॥ १६ ॥

tataḥ stuvīta stotreṇa

bhakti-prahveṇa cetasā

yajñocchiṣṭam avaghrāya

punar abhyarcayed dharim

Translation

Thereafter, with devotion and humility, one should offer prayers to the Lord and mother Lakṣmī. Then one should smell the remnants of the food offered and then again worship the Lord and Lakṣmījī.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pray With Devotion and Humility

  1. 1

    Prayers to the Lord and mother Lakṣmī should be offered with devotion.

  2. 2

    The worshiper should approach them with a humble mind.

  3. 3

    After smelling the remnants of the food offered, one should again worship the Lord and Lakṣmījī.

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 19: Performing the Puṁsavana Ritualistic Ceremony

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then, covering her body with a white dress and being properly ornamented, before breakfast she should worship Lord Viṣṇu and mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, by glorifying Lord Viṣṇu for His mercy, patience, prowess, ability, greatness and other glories and for how He can bestow all mystic benedictions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. stuvītaone should praise
  3. stotreṇawith prayers
  4. bhaktiwith devotion
  5. prahveṇahumble
  6. cetasāwith a mind
  7. yajña-ucchiṣṭamthe remnants of sacrifice
  8. avaghrāyasmelling
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.19

    In this verse: “devotion”, “worship”, “worshiper”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 6.19

    In this verse: “humility”, “humble”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.19

    In this verse: “mother”

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 would make my prayers more humble and devoted?

Practice

Pause before your next prayer and consciously approach the Lord and mother Lakṣmī with humility.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPray With Devotion and HumilityThis 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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