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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

6.2.34 6.2.36-37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.35

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

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

सोऽहं तथा यतिष्यामि यतचित्तेन्द्रियानिल: ।

यथा न भूय आत्मानमन्धे तमसि मज्जये ॥ ३५ ॥

so ’haṁ tathā yatiṣyāmi

yata-cittendriyānilaḥ

yathā na bhūya ātmānam

andhe tamasi majjaye

Translation

I am such a sinful person, but since I have now gotten this opportunity, I must completely control my mind, life and senses and always engage in devotional service so that I may not fall again into the deep darkness and ignorance of material life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Resolve to Remain in Devotional Service

1
Ajāmila resolves to control his mind, life and senses and always engage in devotional service. He does not want to fall again into the darkness of material life.
2
Every one of us should have this determination. Our elevated position comes through the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master.
3
We should remember that devotional service is a great opportunity. By praying to Kṛṣṇa that we will not fall again, our lives can become successful.

Key points from the purport

Every one of us should have this determination.
We have been elevated to an exalted position by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, and if we remember that this is a great opportunity and pray to Kṛṣṇa that we will not fall again, our lives will be successful.

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:

Finally, because of his association with the Viṣṇudūtas, Ajāmila, his original consciousness aroused, gave up everything and went to Hardwar, where he engaged in devotional service without deviation, always thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus the Viṣṇudūtas went there, seated him on a golden throne and took him away to Vaikuṇṭhaloka.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

saḥsuch a person
ahamI
tathāin that way
yatiṣyāmiI shall endeavor
yata-citta-indriyacontrolling the mind and senses
anilaḥand the internal airs
yathāso that
nanot

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
Śuddhi · Inner transformation
The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “sinful”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “material”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.2
In this verse: “devotional service”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would help you remember the mercy behind your opportunity for devotional service?

Practice

Offer a short prayer to Kṛṣṇa for help in remaining steady in devotional service.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayResolve to Remain in Devotional ServiceThis 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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