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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.35

Who is speaking and story frame

श्रीविश्‍वरूप उवाच

विगर्हितं धर्मशीलैर्ब्रह्मवर्चउपव्ययम् ।

कथं नु मद्विधो नाथा लोकेशैरभियाचितम् ।

प्रत्याख्यास्यति तच्छिष्य: स एव स्वार्थ उच्यते ॥ ३५ ॥

śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca

vigarhitaṁ dharma-śīlair

brahmavarca-upavyayam

kathaṁ nu mad-vidho nāthā

lokeśair abhiyācitam

pratyākhyāsyati tac-chiṣyaḥ

sa eva svārtha ucyate

Translation

Śrī Viśvarūpa said: O demigods, although the acceptance of priesthood is decried as causing the loss of previously acquired brahminical power, how can someone like me refuse to accept your personal request? You are all exalted commanders of the entire universe. I am your disciple and must take many lessons from you. Therefore I cannot refuse you. I must agree for my own benefit.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect and the Cost of Priesthood

  1. 1

    A qualified brāhmaṇa may act as a priest for the elevation of the people.

  2. 2

    A priest or spiritual master neutralizes the sinful reactions of the person he serves. This diminishes the results of his previously performed pious acts, so learned brāhmaṇas avoid priesthood.

  3. 3

    Nevertheless, Viśvarūpa accepts because of his profound respect for the demigods. He considers himself their disciple, with many lessons to learn from them.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the results of the pious acts previously performed by the priest or spiritual master are diminished.
  • Therefore priesthood is not accepted by learned brāhmaṇas.
  • Nevertheless, the greatly learned brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa became the priest of the demigods because of his profound respect for them.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-viśvarūpaḥ uvācaŚrī Viśvarūpa said
  2. vigarhitamcondemned
  3. dharma-śīlaiḥby persons respectful to the religious principles
  4. brahma-varcaḥof brahminical strength or power
  5. upavyayamcauses loss
  6. kathamhow
  7. nuindeed
  8. mat-vidhaḥa person like me
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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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 remain willing to learn from those who ask for my help?

Practice

In one responsibility today, acknowledge something you can learn from the person you are helping.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect and the Cost of PriesthoodThis 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 6.7.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.