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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

6.2.33 6.2.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Ajāmilasince 6.2.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्‍व चाहं कितव: पापो ब्रह्मघ्नो निरपत्रप: ।

क्‍व च नारायणेत्येतद्भ‍गवन्नाम मङ्गलम् ॥ ३४ ॥

kva cāhaṁ kitavaḥ pāpo

brahma-ghno nirapatrapaḥ

kva ca nārāyaṇety etad

bhagavan-nāma maṅgalam

Translation

Ajāmila continued: I am a shameless cheater who has killed his brahminical culture. Indeed, I am sin personified. Where am I in comparison to the all-auspicious chanting of the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Treasure the Opportunity to Chant

1
Ajāmila recognizes his sinful past and the all-auspicious nature of Lord Nārāyaṇa’s holy name. Those who spread the holy name should also remember their past and present conditions.
2
The opportunity to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra should always be appreciated. By the Lord’s grace, we can chant His holy name and serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.
3
Remembering the difference between our past and present lives helps us remain careful. We should guard against falling from this exalted opportunity.

Key points from the purport

Those engaged in broadcasting the holy name of Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, through the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should always consider what our position was before we came and what it is now.
By the grace of the Lord we are opening many branches, and we should use this good fortune to chant the holy name of the Lord and serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.
We must be conscious of the difference between our present and past conditions and should always be very careful not to fall from the most exalted life.

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

Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, he could realize the full significance of this good fortune. Having thoroughly understood the discussion between the Yamadūtas and the Viṣṇudūtas, he became a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

kvawhere
caalso
ahamI
kitavaḥa cheater
pāpaḥall sins personified
brahma-ghnaḥthe killer of my brahminical culture
nirapatrapaḥshameless
kvawhere

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: “chanting”, “holy name”, “chant”
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “grace”
Śuddhi · Inner transformation
The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “sinful”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can remembering your opportunity to chant deepen your gratitude?

Practice

Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today with deliberate gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTreasure the Opportunity to ChantThis 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 6.2.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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