1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
6.7.316.7.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.32

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 6.7.27inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वृणीमहे त्वोपाध्यायं ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं गुरुम् ।

यथाञ्जसा विजेष्याम: सपत्नांस्तव तेजसा ॥ ३२ ॥

vṛṇīmahe tvopādhyāyaṁ

brahmiṣṭhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gurum

yathāñjasā vijeṣyāmaḥ

sapatnāṁs tava tejasā

Translation

Since you are completely aware of the Supreme Brahman, you are a perfect brāhmaṇa, and therefore you are the spiritual master of all orders of life. We accept you as our spiritual master and director so that by the power of your austerity we may easily defeat the enemies who have conquered us.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Guidance Suited to the Duty

  1. 1

    The demigods recognize Viśvarūpa as a perfect brāhmaṇa who is fully aware of the Supreme Brahman.

  2. 2

    One must approach a particular type of guru to carry out a particular type of duty.

  3. 3

    Although Viśvarūpa was inferior to the demigods in position, they accepted him as their guru to conquer their enemies.

Key points from the purport
  • One must approach a particular type of guru to execute a particular type of duty.
  • Therefore although Viśvarūpa was inferior to the demigods, the demigods accepted him as their guru to conquer the demons.

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:

Following Lord Brahmā’s orders, the demigods accepted Viśvarūpa, who was a brāhmaṇa and the son of Tvaṣṭā, as their priest. Then they performed yajñas under the priesthood of Viśvarūpa and were able to conquer the demons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vṛṇīmahewe choose
  2. tvāyou
  3. upādhyāyamas teacher and spiritual master
  4. brahmiṣṭhambeing perfectly aware of the Supreme Brahman
  5. brāhmaṇama qualified brāhmaṇa
  6. gurumthe perfect spiritual master
  7. yathāso that
  8. añjasāvery easily
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: “duty”

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 qualified guidance, even from someone whose position seems lower than mine?

Practice

Identify one duty for which you need guidance and ask someone qualified to help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Guidance Suited to the DutyThis 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 6.7.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories