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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

6.2.31 6.2.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Ajāmilasince 6.2.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथापि मे दुर्भगस्य विबुधोत्तमदर्शने ।

भवितव्यं मङ्गलेन येनात्मा मे प्रसीदति ॥ ३२ ॥

athāpi me durbhagasya

vibudhottama-darśane

bhavitavyaṁ maṅgalena

yenātmā me prasīdati

Translation

I am certainly most abominable and unfortunate to have merged in an ocean of sinful activities, but nevertheless, because of my previous spiritual activities, I could see those four exalted personalities who came to rescue me. Now I feel exceedingly happy because of their visit.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Never Forgets Service Rendered

1
Even a moment of association with devotees can give the seed of all perfection. Ajāmila's earlier association with devotees and brāhmaṇas bore fruit despite his later fall.
2
Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is seated in everyone's heart and never forgets service rendered to Him. From within, He gave Ajāmila the opportunity to name his son Nārāyaṇa and repeatedly call that name.
3
By the mercy of the guru and Kṛṣṇa, one receives the seed of devotional service. Names that remind one of the Lord offer an opportunity to remember Him and be saved from the greatest danger.

Key points from the purport

Thus the Lord, from within, gave Ajāmila the opportunity to name his youngest son Nārāyaṇa so that in affection he would constantly call “Nārāyaṇa!
Nārāyaṇa!” and thus be saved from the most fearful and dangerous condition at the time of his death.
In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we therefore change a devotee’s name to a form that reminds him of Viṣṇu.

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 6.2.32 quotesCC Madhya 22.54

As stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.54): ‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya

The purport of SB 6.2.32 quotesBG 15.15

As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca: “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.”

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

Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore one who chants the holy name of the Lord with faith and devotion is certainly exalted. He is protected even in his material, conditional life.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

athatherefore
apialthough
meof me
durbhagasyaso unfortunate
vibudha-uttamaexalted devotees
darśanebecause of seeing
bhavitavyamthere must be
maṅgalenaauspicious activities

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
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “rescue”, “saved”
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”, “devotees”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make better use of opportunities to associate with devotees and remember Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside a short time today to associate with a devotee and speak about remembering Kṛṣṇa.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Never Forgets Service RenderedThis 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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