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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 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas
6.2.146.2.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Viṣṇudūtassince 6.2.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitThe Viṣṇudūtas → the Yamadūtas

पतित: स्खलितो भग्न: सन्दष्टस्तप्त आहत: ।

हरिरित्यवशेनाह पुमान्नार्हति यातना: ॥ १५ ॥

patitaḥ skhalito bhagnaḥ

sandaṣṭas tapta āhataḥ

harir ity avaśenāha

pumān nārhati yātanāḥ

Translation

If one chants the holy name of Hari and then dies because of an accidental misfortune, such as falling from the top of a house, slipping and suffering broken bones while traveling on the road, being bitten by a serpent, being afflicted with pain and high fever, or being injured by a weapon, one is immediately absolved from having to enter hellish life, even though he is sinful.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chanting Offers Shelter at Sudden Death

  1. 1

    Whatever one remembers when leaving the body determines the state one attains after death.

  2. 2

    Practicing the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra makes one naturally more likely to chant it when an accident occurs.

  3. 3

    Even without previous practice, someone who chants the Lord’s holy name during an accident and dies is saved from hellish life.

Key points from the purport
  • If one practices chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa when he meets with some accident.
  • Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Kṛṣṇa) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 6.2.15 quotesBG 8.6

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (8.6): “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Guilt and mortal terror → Mercy and renewed devotion. The holy name opens a path beyond an apparently hopeless death.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 6: Ajāmila and the Viṣṇudūtas. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

If one atones according to the directions of the śāstras, one does not actually become free from sinful reactions, but if one chants the holy name of the Lord, even a glimpse of such chanting can immediately free one from all sins. Chanting the glories of the Lord’s holy name awakens all good fortune.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. patitaḥfallen down
  2. skhalitaḥslipped
  3. bhagnaḥhaving broken his bones
  4. sandaṣṭaḥbitten
  5. taptaḥseverely attacked by fever or similar painful conditions
  6. āhataḥinjured
  7. hariḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  8. itithus
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “chants”, “holy name”, “chant”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “suffering”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make chanting a more natural part of my daily life?

Practice

Set aside two minutes today to practice chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayChanting Offers Shelter at Sudden DeathThis 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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