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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 2: Ajāmila Delivered by the Viṣṇudūtas
6.2.416.2.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.42

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

यर्ह्युपारतधीस्तस्मिन्नद्राक्षीत्पुरुषान् पुर: ।

उपलभ्योपलब्धान् प्राग्ववन्दे शिरसा द्विज: ॥ ४२ ॥

yarhy upārata-dhīs tasminn

adrākṣīt puruṣān puraḥ

upalabhyopalabdhān prāg

vavande śirasā dvijaḥ

Translation

When his intelligence and mind were fixed upon the form of the Lord, the brāhmaṇa Ajāmila once again saw before him four celestial persons. He could understand that they were those he had seen previously, and thus he offered them his obeisances by bowing down before them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Let Devotion Become Firm

  1. 1

    The Viṣṇudūtas returned when Ajāmila’s mind and intelligence were firmly fixed upon the Lord’s form.

  2. 2

    They had gone away for some time to let him become steady in meditation upon the Lord. When his devotion had matured, they returned to take him.

  3. 3

    Ajāmila recognized the same Viṣṇudūtas who had rescued him. He offered his obeisances by bowing down before them.

Key points from the purport
  • The Viṣṇudūtas who had rescued Ajāmila came before him again when his mind was firmly fixed upon the form of the Lord.
  • The Viṣṇudūtas had gone away for some time to give Ajāmila a chance to become firmly fixed in meditation upon the Lord.
  • Understanding that the same Viṣṇudūtas had returned, Ajāmila offered them his obeisances by bowing down before them.

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:

The brāhmaṇa Ajāmila, however, offered his respectful obeisances to the Viṣṇudūtas. He could understand how fortunate he was to have chanted the holy name of Nārāyaṇa at the end of his life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yarhiwhen
  2. upārata-dhīḥhis mind and intelligence were fixed
  3. tasminat that time
  4. adrākṣīthad seen
  5. puruṣānthe persons (the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu)
  6. puraḥbefore him
  7. upalabhyagetting
  8. upalabdhānwho were gotten
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “devotion”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “rescued”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What helps your meditation upon the Lord become more steady?

Practice

Give a few undistracted minutes today to meditation upon the Lord’s form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Devotion Become FirmThis 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 6.2.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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