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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
6.2.176.2.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.18

Mukti· Liberation
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

अज्ञानादथवा ज्ञानादुत्तमश्लोकनाम यत् ।

सङ्कीर्तितमघं पुंसो दहेदेधो यथानल: ॥ १८ ॥

ajñānād athavā jñānād

uttamaśloka-nāma yat

saṅkīrtitam aghaṁ puṁso

dahed edho yathānalaḥ

Translation

As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Holy Name Burns Sinful Reactions

  1. 1

    Fire burns dry grass to ashes whether it is lit by someone who understands its power or by an innocent child.

  2. 2

    Similarly, the holy name burns all sinful reactions to ashes, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly.

  3. 3

    One need not fully understand the power of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra to benefit from chanting it.

Key points from the purport
  • Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power.
  • For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set afire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire or by a child who does not, the grass will be burned to ashes.
  • Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions.

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

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. ajñānātout of ignorance
  2. athavāor
  3. jñānātwith knowledge
  4. uttamaślokaof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. nāmathe holy name
  6. yatthat which
  7. saṅkīrtitamchanted
  8. aghamsin
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanted”, “holy name”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “child”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I postpone chanting because I feel I do not yet understand enough?

Practice

Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa for two minutes, remembering the example of fire burning dry grass.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Holy Name Burns Sinful ReactionsThis 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 6.2.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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