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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
6.2.86.2.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.2.9-10

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Viṣṇudūtassince 6.2.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitThe Viṣṇudūtas → the Yamadūtas

स्तेन: सुरापो मित्रध्रुग् ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पग: ।

स्त्रीराजपितृगोहन्ता ये च पातकिनोऽपरे ॥ ९ ॥

सर्वेषामप्यघवतामिदमेव सुनिष्कृतम् ।

नामव्याहरणं विष्णोर्यतस्तद्विषया मति: ॥ १० ॥

stenaḥ surā-po mitra-dhrug

brahma-hā guru-talpa-gaḥ

strī-rāja-pitṛ-go-hantā

ye ca pātakino ’pare

sarveṣām apy aghavatām

idam eva suniṣkṛtam

nāma-vyāharaṇaṁ viṣṇor

yatas tad-viṣayā matiḥ

Translation

The chanting of the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a brāhmaṇa, or for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, “Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection.”

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.

The Holy Name Invites the Lord's Protection

  1. 1

    Chanting the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu is the best process of atonement for theft, drunkenness, betrayal, and other sinful acts.

  2. 2

    This remedy extends even to those responsible for grave sins, including murder and the slaughter of cows.

  3. 3

    By chanting, a sinful person may attract the Supreme Lord's attention. The Lord considers it His duty to protect one who has chanted His holy name.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.3.12

In this regard, one may also see Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.2.9-10 and 14-15).

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:

The Viṣṇudūtas explained this as follows: “Simply by once chanting the holy name of Nārāyaṇa, this brāhmaṇa has become free from the reactions of sinful life. Indeed, he has been freed not only from the sins of this life, but from the sins of many, many thousands of other lives.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. stenaḥone who steals
  2. surā-paḥa drunkard
  3. mitra-dhrukone who turns against a friend or relative
  4. brahma-hāone who kills a brāhmaṇa
  5. guru-talpa-gaḥone who indulges in sex with the wife of his teacher or guru
  6. strīwomen
  7. rājaking
  8. pitṛfather
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”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.2

    In this verse: “sinful”, “sins”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protection”, “protect”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the Lord's willingness to protect the chanter awaken in me?

Practice

Set aside one minute today to chant the holy name of Lord Viṣṇu.

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 todayThe Holy Name Invites the Lord's ProtectionOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 6.2.9-10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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