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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.2.24-25

Who is speaking and story frame

अजामिलोऽप्यथाकर्ण्य दूतानां यमकृष्णयो: ।

धर्मं भागवतं शुद्धं त्रैवेद्यं च गुणाश्रयम् ॥ २४ ॥

भक्तिमान् भगवत्याशु माहात्म्यश्रवणाद्धरे: ।

अनुतापो महानासीत्स्मरतोऽशुभमात्मन: ॥ २५ ॥

ajāmilo ’py athākarṇya

dūtānāṁ yama-kṛṣṇayoḥ

dharmaṁ bhāgavataṁ śuddhaṁ

trai-vedyaṁ ca guṇāśrayam

bhaktimān bhagavaty āśu

māhātmya-śravaṇād dhareḥ

anutāpo mahān āsīt

smarato ’śubham ātmanaḥ

Translation

After hearing the discourses between the Yamadūtas and the Viṣṇudūtas, Ajāmila could understand the religious principles that act under the three modes of material nature. These principles are mentioned in the three Vedas. He could also understand the transcendental religious principles, which are above the modes of material nature and which concern the relationship between the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, Ajāmila heard glorification of the name, fame, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He thus became a perfectly pure devotee. He could then remember his past sinful activities, which he greatly regretted having performed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Transcends Material Religion

  1. 1

    Vedic principles provide a gradual path to spiritual life, but attachment to material religious purposes holds one back. Kṛṣṇa therefore advises devotional service, which is transcendental religion.

  2. 2

    The living being is eternally related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the living being's duty is to surrender to Him. Devotional service frees one from impediments and brings complete satisfaction.

  3. 3

    By hearing glorification of the Lord, Ajāmila became a pure devotee. He then regretted his past materialistic activities and glorified the Lord's name, fame, form and pastimes.

Key points from the purport
  • Kṛṣṇa therefore advised Arjuna to perform devotional service, which is the process of transcendental religion.
  • Bhakti, devotional service, is paro dharmaḥ, transcendental dharma; it is not material dharma.
  • Having been elevated to that platform, Ajāmila began to lament for his past materialistic activities and glorify the name, fame, form and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of 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.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 6.2.24-25 quotesBG 2.45

In Bhagavad-gītā (2.45) Lord Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna: “The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature.

The purport of SB 6.2.24-25 quotesSB 1.2.6

The transcendental position of devotional service is also confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.6).

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ajāmilaḥAjāmila
  2. apialso
  3. athathereafter
  4. ākarṇyahearing
  5. dūtānāmof the order carriers
  6. yama-kṛṣṇayoḥof Yamarāja and Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. dharmamactual religious principles
  8. bhāgavatamas described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, or concerning the relationship between the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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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: “hearing”, “heard”, “glorification”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “duty”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking material profit from religion, or a deeper relationship of service to the Lord?

Practice

Read the verse's translation aloud, attending carefully to the purpose of devotional service.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 1.2.6

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 6.2's connections

Live this todayDevotional Service Transcends Material ReligionThis 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 6.2.24-25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.