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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
6.2.216.2.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.22

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.2.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द्विज: पाशाद्विनिर्मुक्तो गतभी: प्रकृतिं गत: ।

ववन्दे शिरसा विष्णो: किङ्करान् दर्शनोत्सव: ॥ २२ ॥

dvijaḥ pāśād vinirmukto

gata-bhīḥ prakṛtiṁ gataḥ

vavande śirasā viṣṇoḥ

kiṅkarān darśanotsavaḥ

Translation

Having been released from the nooses of Yamarāja’s servants, the brāhmaṇa Ajāmila, now free from fear, came to his senses and immediately offered obeisances to the Viṣṇudūtas by bowing his head at their lotus feet. He was extremely pleased by their presence, for he had seen them save his life from the hands of the servants of Yamarāja.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gratitude for the Lord’s Saving Servants

  1. 1

    Released from the nooses and free from fear, Ajāmila bowed his head at the Viṣṇudūtas’ lotus feet. He was delighted to see those who had saved his life.

  2. 2

    Vaiṣṇavas are also Viṣṇudūtas because they carry out Kṛṣṇa’s orders. They try to bring conditioned souls to their senses.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa eagerly desires conditioned souls to surrender to Him and be saved from material suffering and hellish punishment. Those fortunate enough to be saved by His servants return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Vaiṣṇavas are also Viṣṇudūtas because they carry out the orders of Kṛṣṇa.
  • A Vaiṣṇava therefore tries to bring conditioned souls to their senses.
  • Those who are fortunate like Ajāmila are saved by the Viṣṇudūtas, or Vaiṣṇavas, and thus they return back home, back to Godhead.

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:

The brāhmaṇa Ajāmila, however, offered his respectful obeisances to the Viṣṇudūtas. He could understand how fortunate he was to have chanted the holy name of Nārāyaṇa at the end of his life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dvijaḥthe brāhmaṇa (Ajāmila)
  2. pāśātfrom the noose
  3. vinirmuktaḥbeing released
  4. gata-bhīḥfreed from fear
  5. prakṛtim gataḥcame to his senses
  6. vavandeoffered his respectful obeisances
  7. śirasāby bowing his head
  8. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  9. kiṅkarānunto the servants
  10. darśana-utsavaḥvery pleased by seeing them
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “surrender”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I show gratitude to those who help me turn toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer a respectful bow today in gratitude to the Vaiṣṇavas who help souls turn toward Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGratitude for the Lord’s Saving ServantsThis 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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