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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 7: Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati.
6.7.226.7.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.23

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 6.7.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मघवन् द्विषत: पश्य प्रक्षीणान् गुर्वतिक्रमात् ।

सम्प्रत्युपचितान् भूय: काव्यमाराध्य भक्तित: ।

आददीरन्निलयनं ममापि भृगुदेवता: ॥ २३ ॥

maghavan dviṣataḥ paśya

prakṣīṇān gurv-atikramāt

sampraty upacitān bhūyaḥ

kāvyam ārādhya bhaktitaḥ

ādadīran nilayanaṁ

mamāpi bhṛgu-devatāḥ

Translation

O Indra, your enemies, the demons, were extremely weak because of their disrespect toward Śukrācārya, but since they have now worshiped Śukrācārya with great devotion, they have again become powerful. By their devotion to Śukrācārya, they have increased their strength so much that now they are even able to easily seize my abode from me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Guru’s Mercy Opens Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    The demons had become weak by disrespecting Śukrācārya. Worshiping him with great devotion made them powerful again.

  2. 2

    By the spiritual master’s mercy, one receives Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. Without the spiritual master’s grace, one cannot make advancement.

  3. 3

    The guru’s mercy can enable even a person unable to speak to become a great orator, and a lame person to cross mountains. Lord Brahmā urged the demigods to remember the power of this mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā wanted to point out to the demigods that by the strength of the guru one can become most powerful within this world, and by the displeasure of the guru one can lose everything.
  • Although the demons are insignificant in comparison to Lord Brahmā, because of the strength of their guru they were so powerful that they could even seize Brahmaloka from Lord Brahmā.
  • As advised by Lord Brahmā, one should remember this śāstric injunction if one desires success in his life.

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:

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. maghavanO Indra
  2. dviṣataḥyour enemies
  3. paśyajust see
  4. prakṣīṇānbeing very weak (formerly)
  5. guru-atikramātbecause of disrespecting their guru, Śukrācārya
  6. sampratiat the present moment
  7. upacitānpowerful
  8. bhūyaḥagain
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “worshiped”, “worshiping”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”

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 seek my spiritual master’s mercy rather than rely only on my own abilities?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer today for your spiritual master’s mercy and the mercy of Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Guru’s Mercy Opens Spiritual AdvancementThis 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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