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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
6.2.47-486.3.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.2.49

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

म्रियमाणो हरेर्नाम गृणन् पुत्रोपचारितम् ।

अजामिलोऽप्यगाद्धाम किमुत श्रद्धया गृणन् ॥ ४९ ॥

mriyamāṇo harer nāma

gṛṇan putropacāritam

ajāmilo ’py agād dhāma

kim uta śraddhayā gṛṇan

Translation

While suffering at the time of death, Ajāmila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chant Now With Love and Faith

  1. 1

    Ajāmila chanted the Lord’s holy name while suffering at death, although he was calling his son. If he returned to Godhead, there is no doubt about one who chants faithfully and inoffensively.

  2. 2

    At death, disordered bodily functions may prevent even a lifelong chanter from chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra distinctly. Nevertheless, such a person receives all the benefits of chanting.

  3. 3

    While the body is fit, we should chant the holy name loudly and distinctly, with love and faith. One who chants constantly is guaranteed to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Someone may say, “It may be accepted that by chanting the holy name of the Lord one becomes freed from all the reactions of sinful life.
  • One may atone for sinful life and vanquish all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name, although this is not called atonement.
  • Therefore atonement is not as powerful as the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

Quoted in the purport ofCC Antya 3.64

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.2.49).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Antya 3.187

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.2.49).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

In summary, although the sinful Ajāmila meant to call his son, the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa, even though chanted in the preliminary stage, nāmābhāsa, was able to give him liberation. Therefore one who chants the holy name of the Lord with faith and devotion is certainly exalted.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mriyamāṇaḥat the time of death
  2. hareḥ nāmathe holy name of Hari
  3. gṛṇanchanting
  4. putra-upacāritamindicating his son
  5. ajāmilaḥAjāmila
  6. apieven
  7. agātwent
  8. dhāmato the spiritual world
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “death”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “suffering”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I use my present ability to chant with greater attention, love and faith?

Practice

Spend two minutes today chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra aloud and distinctly.

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.

Quoted in 1 lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayChant Now With Love and FaithThis 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 6.2.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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