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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 3: Yamarāja Instructs His Messengers

6.3.33 6.3.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.3.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.3.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं स्वभर्तृगदितं भगवन्महित्वं

संस्मृत्य विस्मितधियो यमकिङ्करास्ते ।

नैवाच्युताश्रयजनं प्रतिशङ्कमाना

द्रष्टुं च बिभ्यति तत: प्रभृति स्म राजन् ॥ ३४ ॥

itthaṁ svabhartṛ-gaditaṁ bhagavan-mahitvaṁ

saṁsmṛtya vismita-dhiyo yama-kiṅkarās te

naivācyutāśraya-janaṁ pratiśaṅkamānā

draṣṭuṁ ca bibhyati tataḥ prabhṛti sma rājan

Translation

After hearing from the mouth of their master about the extraordinary glories of the Lord and His name, fame and attributes, the Yamadūtas were struck with wonder. Since then, as soon as they see a devotee, they fear him and dare not look at him again.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing the Lord’s Glories Changes Conduct

1
The Yamadūtas heard from their master about the extraordinary glories of the Lord and His name, fame and attributes.
2
What they heard filled them with wonder. From then on, they feared devotees and dared not look at them again.
3
The Yamadūtas gave up the dangerous behavior of approaching devotees. The purport emphasizes that a devotee is dangerous for the Yamadūtas.

Key points from the purport

Since this incident, the Yamadūtas have given up the dangerous behavior of approaching devotees.

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

Chapter 3: Yamarāja Instructs His Messengers

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One who chants, hears or remembers the holy name of the Lord without duplicity, or who prays or offers obeisances to the Lord, becomes perfect, whereas even a learned person may be called to hell if he is bereft of devotional service.” After Yamarāja thus described the glories of the Lord and His devotees, Śukadeva Gosvāmī further explained the potency of chanting the holy name and the futility of performing Vedic ritualistic ceremonies and pious activities for atonement.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.3

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

itthamof such power
sva-bhartṛ-gaditamexplained by their master (Yamarāja)
bhagavat-mahitvamthe extraordinary glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His name, fame, form and attributes
saṁsmṛtyaremembering
vismita-dhiyaḥwhose minds were struck with wonder
yama-kiṅkarāḥall the servants of Yamarāja
tethey
nanot

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
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.3
In this verse: “fear”, “feared”, “dangerous”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.3
In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.3
In this verse: “devotee”, “devotees”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does hearing the Lord’s glories change how I regard His devotees?

Practice

Reread this translation today and reflect for a moment on the respect due to the Lord’s devotees.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing the Lord’s Glories Changes ConductThis 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 6.3.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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