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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 5: Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Dakṣa
6.5.226.5.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.5.23

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.5.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नाशं निशम्य पुत्राणां नारदाच्छीलशालिनाम् ।

अन्वतप्यत क: शोचन् सुप्रजस्त्वं शुचां पदम् ॥ २३ ॥

nāśaṁ niśamya putrāṇāṁ

nāradāc chīla-śālinām

anvatapyata kaḥ śocan

suprajastvaṁ śucāṁ padam

Translation

The Haryaśvas, the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, were very well-behaved, cultured sons, but unfortunately, because of the instructions of Nārada Muni, they deviated from the order of their father. When Dakṣa heard this news, which was brought to him by Nārada Muni, he began to lament. Although he was the father of such good sons, he had lost them all. Certainly this was lamentable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Continue Spiritual Service Despite Opposition

  1. 1

    The Haryaśvas were well-behaved, learned and advanced. Nārada Muni directed them to use their culture and knowledge to end material entanglement.

  2. 2

    Dakṣa felt sorrow rather than happiness at their decision. The purport explains that materialistic expectations can make parents lament over their children’s spiritual advancement.

  3. 3

    Although condemned for his benevolent work, Nārada Muni never gives up his mission. He continues chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa to deliver as many fallen souls as possible.

Key points from the purport
  • The Haryaśvas, the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, were certainly well-behaved, learned and advanced, and in accordance with the order of their father they went to perform austerities to beget good sons for their family.
  • The Haryaśvas abided by the order of Nārada Muni, but when news of this was brought to Prajāpati Dakṣa, the prajāpati, instead of being happy with the actions of Nārada Muni, was extremely sorrowful.
  • Of course, Prajāpati Dakṣa did not make propaganda against Nārada Muni, but later, as we shall see, Dakṣa cursed Nārada Muni for his benevolent activities.

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

Anger and conflict → Spiritual commitment. Competing understandings of duty create relational tension.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 6: Dakṣa, Nārada and the consequences of preaching. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Nārada Muni Cursed by Prajāpati Dakṣa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Haryaśvas began practicing austerities, penances and meditation, which are the engagements of the highly exalted renounced order of life. However, when Śrīla Nārada Muni saw these boys engaged in such commendable austerities simply for material creation, he thought it better to release them from this tendency.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāśamthe loss
  2. niśamyahearing of
  3. putrāṇāmof his sons
  4. nāradātfrom Nārada
  5. śīla-śālināmwho were the best of well-behaved persons
  6. anvatapyatasuffered
  7. kaḥPrajāpati Dakṣa
  8. śocanlamenting
3

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.5

    In this verse: “heard”, “chanting”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.5

    In this verse: “father”, “children’s”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.5

    In this verse: “lament”

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What helps me remain steady in spiritual service when others do not understand it?

Practice

Set aside two minutes today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, remembering Nārada Muni’s steadiness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayContinue Spiritual Service Despite OppositionThis 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.

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