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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 8: The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield
6.7.406.8.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.8.1-2

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 6.8.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीराजोवाच

यया गुप्त: सहस्राक्ष: सवाहान् रिपुसैनिकान् ।

क्रीडन्निव विनिर्जित्य त्रिलोक्या बुभुजे श्रियम् ॥ १ ॥

भगवंस्तन्ममाख्याहि वर्म नारायणात्मकम् ।

यथाततायिन: शत्रून्येन गुप्तोऽजयन्मृधे ॥ २ ॥

śrī-rājovāca

yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ

savāhān ripu-sainikān

krīḍann iva vinirjitya

tri-lokyā bubhuje śriyam

bhagavaṁs tan mamākhyāhi

varma nārāyaṇātmakam

yathātatāyinaḥ śatrūn

yena gupto ’jayan mṛdhe

Translation

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: My lord, kindly explain the Viṣṇu mantra armor that protected King Indra and enabled him to conquer his enemies, along with their carriers, and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds. Please explain to me that Nārāyaṇa armor, by which King Indra achieved success in battle, conquering the enemies who were endeavoring to kill him.

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.

Inquiring About Nārāyaṇa’s Protective Armor

  1. 1

    King Parīkṣit asks Śukadeva Gosvāmī to explain the Viṣṇu mantra armor that protected King Indra.

  2. 2

    With this protection, Indra conquered his enemies and their carriers and enjoyed the opulence of the three worlds.

  3. 3

    Parīkṣit wants to hear how the Nārāyaṇa armor brought Indra success against enemies who were trying to kill him.

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 8: The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca Shield

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter describes how Indra, the King of heaven, was victorious over the soldiers of the demons, and it also describes the shield of the Viṣṇu mantra. To take protection from this shield, one must first touch kuśa grass and wash one’s mouth with ācamana-mantras.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-rājā uvācaKing Parīkṣit said
  2. yayāby which (the spiritual armor)
  3. guptaḥprotected
  4. sahasra-akṣaḥthe thousand-eyed King Indra
  5. sa-vāhānwith their carriers
  6. ripu-sainikānthe soldiers and commanders of the enemies
  7. krīḍan ivajust like playing
  8. vinirjityaconquering
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.8

    In this verse: “king”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.8

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.8

    In this verse: “protected”

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

What would you like to understand about the protection offered by the Nārāyaṇa armor?

Practice

Read Parīkṣit’s request aloud, then write one sincere question you have about the Nārāyaṇa armor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInquiring About Nārāyaṇa’s Protective ArmorThis 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.

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