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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 ›
Canto 6 · Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas
6.2.356.2.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.2.36-37

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Ajāmilasince 6.2.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विमुच्य तमिमं बन्धमविद्याकामकर्मजम् ।

सर्वभूतसुहृच्छान्तो मैत्र: करुण आत्मवान् ॥ ३६ ॥

मोचये ग्रस्तमात्मानं योषिन्मय्यात्ममायया ।

विक्रीडितो ययैवाहं क्रीडामृग इवाधम: ॥ ३७ ॥

vimucya tam imaṁ bandham

avidyā-kāma-karmajam

sarva-bhūta-suhṛc chānto

maitraḥ karuṇa ātmavān

mocaye grastam ātmānaṁ

yoṣin-mayyātma-māyayā

vikrīḍito yayaivāhaṁ

krīḍā-mṛga ivādhamaḥ

Translation

Because of identifying oneself with the body, one is subjected to desires for sense gratification, and thus one engages in many different types of pious and impious action. This is what constitutes material bondage. Now I shall disentangle myself from my material bondage, which has been caused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy in the form of a woman. Being a most fallen soul, I was victimized by the illusory energy and have become like a dancing dog led around by a woman’s hand. Now I shall give up all lusty desires and free myself from this illusion. I shall become a merciful, well-wishing friend to all living entities and always absorb myself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Freedom and Help Others

  1. 1

    Identifying with the body leads to desires for sense gratification and actions that bind us. Ajāmila resolves to give up lusty desires and absorb himself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    A Kṛṣṇa conscious person should become free from māyā and show compassion to others suffering in her clutches. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is meant for others as well as oneself.

  3. 3

    One who feels compassion and spreads Kṛṣṇa consciousness is more advanced than one concerned only with personal salvation. Kṛṣṇa gives such an advanced devotee special protection.

Key points from the purport
  • A Kṛṣṇa conscious person should free himself from the clutches of māyā, and he should also be compassionate to all others suffering in those clutches.
  • One who is interested in his own salvation is not as advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness as one who feels compassion for others and who therefore propagates the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
  • One should come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness to release oneself and also to release others.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vimucyahaving become free from
  2. tamthat
  3. imamthis
  4. bandhambondage
  5. avidyādue to ignorance
  6. kāmadue to lusty desire
  7. karma-jamcaused by activities
  8. sarva-bhūtaof all living entities
3

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “lusty”, “sense gratification”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “give up”, “free from”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “merciful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can your spiritual efforts include concern for someone else’s well-being?

Practice

Kindly share one encouragement to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness with someone willing to hear.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Freedom and Help OthersThis 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 6.2.36-37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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