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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.
6.7.326.7.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.33

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 6.7.33inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न गर्हयन्ति ह्यर्थेषु यविष्ठाङ्‌घ्य्रभिवादनम् ।

छन्दोभ्योऽन्यत्र न ब्रह्मन् वयो ज्यैष्ठ्यस्य कारणम् ॥ ३३ ॥

na garhayanti hy artheṣu

yaviṣṭhāṅghry-abhivādanam

chandobhyo ’nyatra na brahman

vayo jyaiṣṭhyasya kāraṇam

Translation

The demigods continued: Do not fear criticism for being younger than us. Such etiquette does not apply in regard to Vedic mantras. Except in relationship to Vedic mantras, seniority is determined by age, but one may offer respectful obeisances even to a younger person who is advanced in chanting Vedic mantras. Therefore although you are junior in relationship to us, you may become our priest without hesitation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Knowledge Matters More Than Status

  1. 1

    One may be senior in knowledge without being advanced in age. Viśvarūpa’s Vedic knowledge qualified him to receive the demigods’ obeisances despite being their nephew.

  2. 2

    Education may be accepted even from a person of a lower social order if that person has knowledge.

  3. 3

    Social position and orders of life are material designations. One advanced in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness may become a spiritual master regardless of these designations.

Key points from the purport
  • Viśvarūpa was junior in relationship to the demigods because he was their nephew, but the demigods wanted to accept him as their priest, and therefore he would have to accept obeisances from them.
  • The demigods explained that this should not be a cause for hesitation; he could become their priest because he was advanced in Vedic knowledge.
  • Therefore, if one is advanced in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, regardless of his position in human society, he may become a spiritual master.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 6.7.33 quotesCC Madhya 8.128

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu approved of this when He expressed this opinion before Rāmānanda Rāya: It does not matter whether one is a brāhmaṇa, śūdra, gṛhastha or sannyāsī.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. nanot
  2. garhayantiforbid
  3. hiindeed
  4. artheṣuin acquiring interests
  5. yaviṣṭha-aṅghriat the lotus feet of a junior
  6. abhivādanamoffering obeisances
  7. chandobhyaḥthe Vedic mantras
  8. anyatraapart from
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “chanting”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “material”

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 age or social position prevent me from recognizing genuine spiritual knowledge?

Practice

Reflect on one spiritual teaching you have received, judging it by its knowledge rather than the teacher’s age or social standing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Knowledge Matters More Than StatusThis 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 6.7.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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