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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
6.2.226.2.24-25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.2.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं विवक्षुमभिप्रेत्य महापुरुषकिङ्करा: ।

सहसा पश्यतस्तस्य तत्रान्तर्दधिरेऽनघ ॥ २३ ॥

taṁ vivakṣum abhipretya

mahāpuruṣa-kiṅkarāḥ

sahasā paśyatas tasya

tatrāntardadhire ’nagha

Translation

O sinless Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the order carriers of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Viṣṇudūtas, saw that Ajāmila was attempting to say something, and thus they suddenly disappeared from his presence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Separation Deepens Eagerness to Glorify the Lord

  1. 1

    Ajāmila was freed from all sinful reactions, and his lifetime was extended even though he had been about to die.

  2. 2

    The Viṣṇudūtas made him aware of devotional service so that he could become fit to return home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    They disappeared to increase his eagerness to glorify the Supreme Lord. In separation, glorification of the Lord becomes very intense.

Key points from the purport
  • When the Viṣṇudūtas saw Ajāmila trying to say something to them, they disappeared to give him a chance to glorify the Supreme Lord.
  • Since all his sinful reactions had been vanquished, he was now prepared to glorify the Lord.
  • To increase his eagerness to glorify the Lord, they disappeared so that he would feel separation in their absence.

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 6.2.23 quotesBG 7.28

This is confirmed by Kṛṣṇa Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (7.28): “Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.”

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:

Having thoroughly understood the discussion between the Yamadūtas and the Viṣṇudūtas, he became a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He lamented very much for how very sinful he had been, and he condemned himself again and again.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim (Ajāmila)
  2. vivakṣumdesiring to speak
  3. abhipretyaunderstanding
  4. mahāpuruṣa-kiṅkarāḥthe order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu
  5. sahasāsuddenly
  6. paśyataḥ tasyawhile he looked on
  7. tatrathere
  8. antardadhiredisappeared
  9. anaghaO sinless Mahārāja Parīkṣit
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “glorify”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can longing for the Lord help me become more eager to glorify Him?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute glorifying the Supreme Lord and expressing your desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeparation Deepens Eagerness to Glorify 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.

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