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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 6.7.13

Who is speaking and story frame

य: पारमेष्ठ्यं धिषणमधितिष्ठन्न कञ्चन ।

प्रत्युत्तिष्ठेदिति ब्रूयुर्धर्मं ते न परं विदु: ॥ १३ ॥

yaḥ pārameṣṭhyaṁ dhiṣaṇam

adhitiṣṭhan na kañcana

pratyuttiṣṭhed iti brūyur

dharmaṁ te na paraṁ viduḥ

Translation

If a person says, “One who is situated on the exalted throne of a king should not stand up to show respect to another king or a brāhmaṇa,” it is to be understood that he does not know the superior religious principles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

High Position Does Not Excuse Disrespect

  1. 1

    A king need not rise for everyone, but must respect superiors such as his spiritual master, brāhmaṇas, and Vaiṣṇavas.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet while acting as a king He rose with His officers and ministers to honor His devotee Nārada.

  3. 3

    Technological progress alone does not make an advanced human civilization. Society needs ideal advisers, proper social duties, and advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says in this regard that when a president or king is sitting on his throne, he does not need to show respect to everyone who comes within his assembly, but he must show respect to superiors like his spiritual master, brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
  • Since Nārada was a brahmacārī, a brāhmaṇa and an exalted devotee, even Kṛṣṇa, while acting as a king, offered His respectful obeisances unto Nārada.
  • One who does not follow the standard system of society should be considered a fifth-class man.

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

Offense and dread → Moral reckoning. Heroic power does not guarantee inner freedom.

Chapters 7–10 of Canto 6: Indra, Bṛhaspati and the emergence of Vṛtrāsura. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati.

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

However, at the request of the demigods, Viśvarūpa, the son of the brāhmaṇa Tvaṣṭā, became their priest. Once upon a time, Indra, the King of the demigods, was sitting with his wife Śacīdevī and being praised by various demigods like the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas when Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, entered the assembly.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥanyone who
  2. pārameṣṭhyamroyal
  3. dhiṣaṇamthrone
  4. adhitiṣṭhansitting on
  5. nanot
  6. kañcanaanyone
  7. pratyuttiṣṭhetshould rise before
  8. itithus
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 6.7

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

Do I ever use my position or responsibilities as an excuse to withhold respect?

Practice

Set aside your usual task briefly today to give a spiritual teacher or devotee your respectful attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHigh Position Does Not Excuse DisrespectThis 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 6.7.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.