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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

6.3.7 6.3.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.3.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Yamadūtassince 6.3.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्य ते विहितो दण्डो न लोके वर्ततेऽधुना ।

चतुर्भिरद्भ‍ुतै: सिद्धैराज्ञा ते विप्रलम्भिता ॥ ८ ॥

tasya te vihito daṇḍo

na loke vartate ’dhunā

caturbhir adbhutaiḥ siddhair

ājñā te vipralambhitā

Translation

But now we see that the punishment ordained under your authority is no longer effective, since your order has been transgressed by four wonderful and perfect persons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unexpected Events Challenge Firm Assumptions

1
The Yamadūtas had believed that Yamarāja alone was in charge of administering justice.
2
They were fully confident that no one could counteract his judgments.
3
To their surprise, four wonderful persons from Siddhaloka had overridden his order. They now questioned the effectiveness of his ordained punishment.

Key points from the purport

The Yamadūtas had been under the impression that Yamarāja was the only person in charge of administering justice.
They were fully confident that no one could counteract his judgments, but now, to their surprise, his order had been violated by the four wonderful persons from Siddhaloka.

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:

By chanting the holy name of the Lord, Ajāmila had met four order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu. They were very beautiful and had quickly come to rescue him.

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