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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 7: Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati.
6.7.196.7.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Indrasince 6.7.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तांस्तथाभ्यर्दितान्वीक्ष्य भगवानात्मभूरज: ।

कृपया परया देव उवाच परिसान्त्वयन् ॥ २० ॥

tāṁs tathābhyarditān vīkṣya

bhagavān ātmabhūr ajaḥ

kṛpayā parayā deva

uvāca parisāntvayan

Translation

When the most powerful Lord Brahmā saw the demigods coming toward him, their bodies gravely injured by the arrows of the demons, he pacified them by his great causeless mercy and spoke as follows.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Brings Comfort Before Instruction

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā saw the demigods approaching with bodies gravely injured by the demons’ arrows.

  2. 2

    Out of his great causeless mercy, he pacified them.

  3. 3

    Having comforted the afflicted demigods, Lord Brahmā spoke to them.

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:

Indra lost all his opulence and was conquered by the demons, who defeated the demigods in a great fight and occupied Indra’s throne. King Indra, along with the other demigods, later took shelter of Lord Brahmā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tānthem (the demigods)
  2. tathāin that way
  3. abhyarditānafflicted by the weapons of the demons
  4. vīkṣyaseeing
  5. bhagavānthe most powerful
  6. ātma-bhūḥLord Brahmā
  7. ajaḥwho was not born like an ordinary human being
  8. kṛpayāout of causeless mercy
3

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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

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

How can I offer comfort before giving advice to someone in distress?

Practice

Offer a gentle word of reassurance to someone who is troubled today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMercy Brings Comfort Before InstructionThis 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 6.7.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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