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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 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura
6.9.196.9.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.9.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततस्ते विस्मिता: सर्वे विषण्णा ग्रस्ततेजस: ।

प्रत्यञ्चमादिपुरुषमुपतस्थु: समाहिता: ॥ २० ॥

tatas te vismitāḥ sarve

viṣaṇṇā grasta-tejasaḥ

pratyañcam ādi-puruṣam

upatasthuḥ samāhitāḥ

Translation

Struck with wonder and disappointment upon seeing the strength of the demon, the demigods lost their own strength. Therefore they all met together to try to please the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, by worshiping 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.

Turn to the Supreme Lord in Worship

  1. 1

    Seeing the demon’s strength, the demigods were struck with wonder and disappointment.

  2. 2

    They lost their own strength and gathered together.

  3. 3

    They worshiped Nārāyaṇa, the Supersoul and Supreme Personality of Godhead. Their purpose was to please 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 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The trees were also given one fourth of the sinful reactions, and therefore they drip sap, which is prohibited for drinking. Because women accepted one fourth of the sinful reactions, they are untouchable during their menstrual period.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. tethey (the demigods)
  3. vismitāḥbeing struck with wonder
  4. sarveall
  5. viṣaṇṇāḥbeing very morose
  6. grasta-tejasaḥhaving lost all their personal strength
  7. pratyañcamto the Supersoul
  8. ādi-puruṣamthe original person
  9. upatasthuḥprayed
  10. samāhitāḥall gathered together
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “worshiping”, “worshiped”

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

When I feel discouraged, can I turn my attention toward pleasing the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Take a quiet minute today to offer a prayer with the intention of pleasing the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTurn to the Supreme Lord in WorshipThis 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 6.9.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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