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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
6.2.446.2.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.45

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Ajāmilasince 6.2.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं स विप्लावितसर्वधर्मा

दास्या: पति: पतितो गर्ह्यकर्मणा ।

निपात्यमानो निरये हतव्रत:

सद्यो विमुक्तो भगवन्नाम गृह्णन् ॥ ४५ ॥

evaṁ sa viplāvita-sarva-dharmā

dāsyāḥ patiḥ patito garhya-karmaṇā

nipātyamāno niraye hata-vrataḥ

sadyo vimukto bhagavan-nāma gṛhṇan

Translation

Ajāmila was a brāhmaṇa who because of bad association had given up all brahminical culture and religious principles. Becoming most fallen, he stole, drank and performed other abominable acts. He even kept a prostitute. Thus he was destined to be carried away to hell by the order carriers of Yamarāja, but he was immediately rescued simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name Nārāyaṇa.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rescued by the Holy Name

  1. 1

    Through bad association, Ajāmila gave up brahminical culture and religious principles.

  2. 2

    He became most fallen, stealing, drinking and performing other abominable acts. He was destined to be carried to hell by the order carriers of Yamarāja.

  3. 3

    Yet Ajāmila was immediately rescued simply by a glimpse of chanting the holy name Nārāyaṇa.

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:

If one atones according to the directions of the śāstras, one does not actually become free from sinful reactions, but if one chants the holy name of the Lord, even a glimpse of such chanting can immediately free one from all sins. Chanting the glories of the Lord’s holy name awakens all good fortune.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. saḥhe (Ajāmila)
  3. viplāvita-sarva-dharmāḥwho gave up all religious principles
  4. dāsyāḥ patiḥthe husband of a prostitute
  5. patitaḥfallen
  6. garhya-karmaṇāby being engaged in abominable activities
  7. nipātyamānaḥfalling
  8. nirayein hellish life
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • 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

How is the association I keep affecting my spiritual life?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to chant the holy name Nārāyaṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayRescued by the Holy NameThis 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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