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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 7: Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati.
6.7.2-86.7.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.7.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.7.2-8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततो निर्गत्य सहसा कविराङ्गिरस: प्रभु: ।

आययौ स्वगृहं तूष्णीं विद्वान्श्रीमदविक्रियाम् ॥ ९ ॥

tato nirgatya sahasā

kavir āṅgirasaḥ prabhuḥ

āyayau sva-gṛhaṁ tūṣṇīṁ

vidvān śrī-mada-vikriyām

Translation

Bṛhaspati knew everything that would happen in the future. Seeing Indra’s transgression of etiquette, he completely understood that Indra was puffed up by his material opulence. Although able to curse Indra, he did not do so. Instead, he left the assembly and in silence returned to his home.

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.

Restraint in the Face of Disrespect

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati understood that Indra’s failure to observe etiquette came from pride in material opulence.

  2. 2

    Bṛhaspati knew what would happen in the future and had the power to curse Indra.

  3. 3

    Rather than curse him, Bṛhaspati silently left the assembly and returned home.

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, being too absorbed in material opulence, forgot himself and did not respect Bṛhaspati, who thus became aware of Indra’s pride in his material opulence and immediately disappeared from the assembly to teach him a lesson. Indra became most repentant, understanding that because of his opulence he had forgotten to respect his spiritual master.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. nirgatyagoing out
  3. sahasāsuddenly
  4. kaviḥthe great learned sage
  5. āṅgirasaḥBṛhaspati
  6. prabhuḥthe master of the demigods
  7. āyayaureturned
  8. sva-gṛhamto his home
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 6.7

    In this verse: “pride”

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

How might I show restraint when someone fails to respect me?

Practice

If you feel disrespected today, pause before speaking rather than immediately answering harshly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRestraint in the Face of DisrespectThis 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 6.7.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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