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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.3.25

Who is speaking and story frame

प्रायेण वेद तदिदं न महाजनोऽयं

देव्या विमोहितमतिर्बत माययालम् ।

त्रय्यां जडीकृतमतिर्मधुपुष्पितायां

वैतानिके महति कर्मणि युज्यमान: ॥ २५ ॥

prāyeṇa veda tad idaṁ na mahājano ’yaṁ

devyā vimohita-matir bata māyayālam

trayyāṁ jaḍī-kṛta-matir madhu-puṣpitāyāṁ

vaitānike mahati karmaṇi yujyamānaḥ

Translation

Because they are bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Yājñavalkya and Jaimini and other compilers of the religious scriptures cannot know the secret, confidential religious system of the twelve mahājanas. They cannot understand the transcendental value of performing devotional service or chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Because their minds are attracted to the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas — especially the Yajur Veda, Sāma Veda and Ṛg Veda — their intelligence has become dull. Thus they are busy collecting the ingredients for ritualistic ceremonies that yield only temporary benefits, such as elevation to Svargaloka for material happiness. They are not attracted to the saṅkīrtana movement; instead, they are interested in dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Devotion, Not Temporary Ritual Rewards

  1. 1

    The real purpose of studying the Vedas is to approach the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Attraction to grand rituals and temporary heavenly happiness can obscure the value of devotional service.

  2. 2

    Saṅkīrtana is meant for pure devotees interested in pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Especially in the Age of Kali, saṅkīrtana alone is sufficient for perfection.

  3. 3

    Although saṅkīrtana is sufficient, Deity worship and regulative principles help devotees remain clean and pure. Śrīla Prabhupāda therefore teaches that Deity worship and saṅkīrtana should continue together.

Key points from the purport
  • In spite of these yajñas, the members of our Society performed saṅkīrtana loudly with mṛdaṅgas, and I considered the saṅkīrtana more important than the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies.
  • Both the ceremonies and the saṅkīrtana were going on simultaneously.
  • The ceremonies were meant for persons interested in Vedic rituals for elevation to heavenly planets (jaḍī-kṛta-matir madhu-puṣpitāyām), whereas the saṅkīrtana was meant for pure devotees interested in pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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· 1

The purport of SB 6.3.25 quotesBG 15.15

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: the real purpose of studying the Vedas is to approach the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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 3: Yamarāja Instructs His Messengers

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Other learned scholars, headed by Jaimini, are almost always covered by the illusory energy, and therefore they are more or less attracted by the flowery language of the three Vedas, namely Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma, which are called trayī. Instead of becoming pure devotees, people captivated by the flowery words of these three Vedas are interested in the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.3
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prāyeṇaalmost always
  2. vedaknow
  3. tatthat
  4. idamthis
  5. nanot
  6. mahājanaḥgreat personalities besides Svayambhū, Śambhu and the other ten
  7. ayamthis
  8. devyāby the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.3

    In this verse: “religious”, “dharma”, “principles”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.3

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”, “worship”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.3

    In this verse: “chanting”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I more attracted to outward grandeur and temporary benefits, or to pleasing Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend two minutes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra with the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking a material reward.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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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 todaySeek Devotion, Not Temporary Ritual RewardsThis 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 6.3.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.