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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.
6.7.366.7.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Viśvarūpasince 6.7.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तथापि न प्रतिब्रूयां गुरुभि: प्रार्थितं कियत् ।

भवतां प्रार्थितं सर्वं प्राणैरर्थैश्च साधये ॥ ३७ ॥

tathāpi na pratibrūyāṁ

gurubhiḥ prārthitaṁ kiyat

bhavatāṁ prārthitaṁ sarvaṁ

prāṇair arthaiś ca sādhaye

Translation

All of you are my superiors. Therefore although accepting priesthood is sometimes reproachable, I cannot refuse even a small request from you. I agree to be your priest. I shall fulfill your request by dedicating my life and possessions.

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.

Honor Service Commitments with Dedication

  1. 1

    Viśvarūpa regards the demigods as his superiors and does not wish to refuse even a small request from them.

  2. 2

    Although accepting priesthood is sometimes reproachable, he agrees to become their priest.

  3. 3

    He promises to fulfill their request by dedicating his life and possessions.

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. tathā apistill
  2. nanot
  3. pratibrūyāmI may refuse
  4. gurubhiḥby persons on the level of my spiritual master
  5. prārthitamrequest
  6. kiyatof small value
  7. bhavatāmof all of you
  8. prārthitamthe desire
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

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 my actions and use of resources reflect the service commitments I have accepted?

Practice

Choose one service commitment you have already made and devote a definite amount of time to fulfilling it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Service Commitments with DedicationThis 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 6.7.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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