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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 · Text 6.2.28

Who is speaking and story frame

वृद्धावनाथौ पितरौ नान्यबन्धू तपस्विनौ ।

अहो मयाधुना त्यक्तावकृतज्ञेन नीचवत् ॥ २८ ॥

vṛddhāv anāthau pitarau

nānya-bandhū tapasvinau

aho mayādhunā tyaktāv

akṛtajñena nīcavat

Translation

My father and mother were old and had no other son or friend to look after them. Because I did not take care of them, they lived with great difficulty. Alas, like an abominable lower-class man, I ungratefully left them in that condition.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Neglect Those Needing Care

  1. 1

    Ajāmila's elderly parents had no other son or friend to care for them. His abandonment left them in great difficulty.

  2. 2

    According to Vedic civilization, everyone has a responsibility to care for brāhmaṇas, old men, women, children and cows.

  3. 3

    Through his association with a prostitute, Ajāmila had abandoned his duties. He now regretted his ingratitude and considered himself fallen.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Vedic civilization, everyone has the responsibility for taking care of brāhmaṇas, old men, women, children and cows.
  • Because of his association with a prostitute, Ajāmila abandoned all his duties.
  • Regretting this, Ajāmila now considered himself quite fallen.

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:

As they were saying this, the Viṣṇudūtas released Ajāmila from the ropes of the Yamadūtas and left for their own abode. The brāhmaṇa Ajāmila, however, offered his respectful obeisances to the Viṣṇudūtas.
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. vṛddhauold
  2. anāthauwho had no other person to look after their comforts
  3. pitaraumy father and mother
  4. na anya-bandhūwho had no other friend
  5. tapasvinauwho underwent great difficulties
  6. ahoalas
  7. mayāby me
  8. adhunāat that moment
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”, “children”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is there someone depending on me whose needs I have neglected?

Practice

Contact an elderly parent or another older person you know and offer one specific form of help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Neglect Those Needing CareThis 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 6.2.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.