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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
6.2.386.2.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.39

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

इति जातसुनिर्वेद: क्षणसङ्गेन साधुषु ।

गङ्गाद्वारमुपेयाय मुक्तसर्वानुबन्धन: ॥ ३९ ॥

iti jāta-sunirvedaḥ

kṣaṇa-saṅgena sādhuṣu

gaṅgā-dvāram upeyāya

mukta-sarvānubandhanaḥ

Translation

Because of a moment’s association with devotees [the Viṣṇudūtas], Ajāmila detached himself from the material conception of life with determination. Thus freed from all material attraction, he immediately started for Hardwar.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Advantage of Devotee Association

  1. 1

    A moment’s association with the Viṣṇudūtas gave Ajāmila firm detachment from material life. He immediately went to Hardwar for further spiritual advancement.

  2. 2

    The centers in Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa offer an opportunity to live among devotees and determinedly give up the bodily concept of life.

  3. 3

    Chanting the Lord’s holy name and taking prasāda are simple means of achieving the highest success and returning home, back to Godhead. We should take advantage of opportunities for devotee association.

Key points from the purport
  • The word mukta-sarvānubandhanaḥ indicates that after this incident, Ajāmila, not caring for his wife and children, went straight to Hardwar for further advancement in his spiritual life.
  • Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement now has centers in Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa so that those who want to live a retired life, whether they be devotees or not, can go there and with determination give up the bodily concept of life.
  • We do not have a center in Hardwar, but Vṛndāvana and Śrīdhāma Māyāpur are better for devotees than any other places.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. jāta-sunirvedaḥ(Ajāmila) who had become detached from the material conception of life
  3. kṣaṇa-saṅgenaby a moment’s association
  4. sādhuṣuwith devotees
  5. gaṅgā-dvāramto Hardwar ( hari-dvāra), the doorway to Hari (because the Ganges begins there, Hardwar is also called gaṅgā-dvāra)
  6. upeyāyawent
  7. muktabeing freed from
  8. sarva-anubandhanaḥall kinds of material bondage
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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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “detached”, “detachment”, “give up”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What opportunity for devotee association could you make better use of?

Practice

Contact a devotee or temple today to arrange a time for chanting together.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Advantage of Devotee AssociationThis 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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