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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 19: Performing the Puṁsavana Ritualistic Ceremony
6.19.2-36.19.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.19.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.19.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अलं ते निरपेक्षाय पूर्णकाम नमोऽस्तु ते ।

महाविभूतिपतये नम: सकलसिद्धये ॥ ४ ॥

alaṁ te nirapekṣāya

pūrṇa-kāma namo ’stu te

mahāvibhūti-pataye

namaḥ sakala-siddhaye

Translation

[She should then pray to the Lord as follows.] My dear Lord, You are full in all opulences, but I do not beg You for opulence. I simply offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the husband and master of Lakṣmīdevī, the goddess of fortune, who has all opulences. Therefore You are the master of all mystic yoga. I simply offer my obeisances unto You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter and Offer Simply

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete. Although complete units emanate from Him, He remains complete.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee takes shelter of the Lord and does not ask Him for anything. The complete Supreme Lord supplies whatever His devotee needs.

  3. 3

    There is no need to artificially exert oneself in worship. One can be plain and simple, offering respectful obeisances and whatever one can secure, even a leaf, flower, fruit or water.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, to take shelter of the Supreme Lord is required.
  • Therefore a pure devotee will not ask anything from the Lord.
  • The Lord is completely able to bless the devotee with all opulences.

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 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. alamenough
  2. teto You
  3. nirapekṣāyaindifferent
  4. pūrṇa-kāmaO Lord, whose desire is always fulfilled
  5. namaḥobeisances
  6. astumay there be
  7. teunto You
  8. mahā-vibhūtiof Lakṣmī
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worship”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.19

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Can I approach the Lord with respect rather than a request for opulence?

Practice

Offer the Lord a little water with respectful obeisances, without asking for anything in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter and Offer SimplyThis 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 6.19.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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