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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.
6.7.29-306.7.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 6.7.27inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्मात् पितृणामार्तानामार्तिं परपराभवम् ।

तपसापनयंस्तात सन्देशं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३१ ॥

tasmāt pitṝṇām ārtānām

ārtiṁ para-parābhavam

tapasāpanayaṁs tāta

sandeśaṁ kartum arhasi

Translation

Dear son, we have been defeated by our enemies, and therefore we are very much aggrieved. Please mercifully fulfill our desires by relieving our distress through the strength of your austerities. Please fulfill our prayers.

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.

Ask Humbly for Relief from Distress

  1. 1

    The demigods openly acknowledge that their enemies have defeated them and that they are deeply distressed.

  2. 2

    They ask Viśvarūpa to mercifully relieve their grief through the strength of his austerities.

  3. 3

    Their words are an appeal for help: they ask him to fulfill their prayers.

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. pitṝṇāmof the parents
  3. ārtānāmwho are in distress
  4. ārtimthe grief
  5. para-parābhavambeing defeated by the enemies
  6. tapasāby the strength of your austerities
  7. apanayantaking away
  8. tātaO dear son
  9. sandeśamour desire
  10. kartum arhasiyou deserve to execute
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “distress”, “distressed”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “mercifully”

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

Can I acknowledge my distress and ask for help without making demands?

Practice

If you need help today, make one honest, respectful request.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Humbly for Relief from DistressThis 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 6.7.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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