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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
6.19.56.19.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.19.6

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

विष्णुपत्नि महामाये महापुरुषलक्षणे ।

प्रीयेथा मे महाभागे लोकमातर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ६ ॥

viṣṇu-patni mahā-māye

mahāpuruṣa-lakṣaṇe

prīyethā me mahā-bhāge

loka-mātar namo ’stu te

Translation

[After profusely offering obeisances unto Lord Viṣṇu, the devotee should offer respectful obeisances unto mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and pray as follows.] O wife of Lord Viṣṇu, O internal energy of Lord Viṣṇu, you are as good as Lord Viṣṇu Himself, for you have all of His qualities and opulences. O goddess of fortune, please be kind to me. O mother of the entire world, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keep Wealth Connected with the Lord

  1. 1

    Mother Lakṣmī is the Lord's precious potency. The word māyā means śakti, or energy.

  2. 2

    The power and the powerful are identical. Mother Lakṣmī is Lord Viṣṇu's constant companion, and they always remain together.

  3. 3

    Keeping the Lord's riches without serving Him is dangerous, for then Lakṣmī becomes the illusory energy. With Lord Viṣṇu, she is the spiritual energy.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, is the constant companion of Lord Viṣṇu; they remain together constantly.
  • One cannot keep Lakṣmī in one’s home without Lord Viṣṇu.
  • With Lord Viṣṇu, however, Lakṣmī is the spiritual energy.

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. viṣṇu-patniO wife of Lord Viṣṇu
  2. mahā-māyeO energy of Lord Viṣṇu
  3. mahā-puruṣa-lakṣaṇepossessing the qualities and opulences of Lord Viṣṇu
  4. prīyethāḥkindly be pleased
  5. meupon me
  6. mahā-bhāgeO goddess of fortune
  7. loka-mātaḥO mother of the world
  8. namaḥobeisances
  9. astumay there be
  10. teunto you
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”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.19

    In this verse: “māyā”

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

Am I seeking riches apart from service to the Lord?

Practice

Use one resource you already have for the Lord's service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKeep Wealth Connected with the LordThis 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 6.19.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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