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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
6.5.306.5.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.5.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.5.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भ्रातृणां प्रायणं भ्राता योऽनुतिष्ठति धर्मवित् ।

स पुण्यबन्धु: पुरुषो मरुद्भ‍ि: सह मोदते ॥ ३१ ॥

bhrātṝṇāṁ prāyaṇaṁ bhrātā

yo ’nutiṣṭhati dharmavit

sa puṇya-bandhuḥ puruṣo

marudbhiḥ saha modate

Translation

A brother aware of the principles of religion follows in the footsteps of his elder brothers. Because of being highly elevated, such a pious brother gets the opportunity to associate and enjoy with demigods like the Maruts, who are all affectionate to their brothers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow the Path Toward the Spiritual World

  1. 1

    The translation praises a brother who knows religious principles and follows his elder brothers.

  2. 2

    According to their faith in material relationships, people may be promoted to different planets. Faithfulness to brothers is connected here with promotion to Marudloka.

  3. 3

    Nārada’s advice to Dakṣa’s sons was to follow their elder brothers and be promoted to the spiritual world.

Key points from the purport
  • According to their belief in various material relationships, people are promoted to various planets.
  • Here it is said that one who is very faithful to his brothers should follow a path similar to theirs and get the opportunity for promotion to Marudloka.
  • Nārada Muni advised Prajāpati Dakṣa’s second group of sons to follow their elder brothers and be promoted to the spiritual world.

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. bhrātṝṇāmof elder brothers
  2. prāyaṇamthe path
  3. bhrātāa faithful brother
  4. yaḥone who
  5. anutiṣṭhatifollows
  6. dharma-vitknowing the religious principles
  7. saḥthat
  8. puṇya-bandhuḥhighly pious
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.5

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.5

    In this verse: “material”

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

Does the example I choose to follow direct me toward the spiritual world?

Practice

Write down the destination Nārada wanted for the sons, and reflect on whether your own aim matches it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow the Path Toward the Spiritual WorldThis 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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