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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 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura
6.9.206.9.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.21

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 6.9.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीदेवा ऊचु:

वाय्वम्बराग्‍न्यप्क्षितयस्त्रिलोका

ब्रह्मादयो ये वयमुद्विजन्त: ।

हराम यस्मै बलिमन्तकोऽसौ

बिभेति यस्मादरणं ततो न: ॥ २१ ॥

śrī-devā ūcuḥ

vāyv-ambarāgny-ap-kṣitayas tri-lokā

brahmādayo ye vayam udvijantaḥ

harāma yasmai balim antako ’sau

bibheti yasmād araṇaṁ tato naḥ

Translation

The demigods said: The three worlds are created by the five elements — namely ether, air, fire, water and earth — which are controlled by various demigods, beginning from Lord Brahmā. Being very much afraid that the time factor will end our existence, we offer presentations unto time by performing our work as time dictates. The time factor himself, however, is afraid of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore let us now worship that Supreme Lord, who alone can give us full protection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Gives Actual Fearlessness

  1. 1

    The demigods control the material elements, yet they themselves fear that time will end their existence.

  2. 2

    Even time and fear personified are afraid of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is therefore known as abhaya, fearless.

  3. 3

    Taking shelter of the Supreme Lord brings actual fearlessness. The demigods therefore chose to worship Him for full protection.

Key points from the purport
  • When one is afraid of being killed, one must take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Although the time factor is fearful to everyone, fear personified is afraid of the Supreme Lord, who is therefore known as abhaya, fearless.
  • Taking shelter of the Supreme Lord brings actual fearlessness, and therefore the demigods decided to take shelter of the Lord.

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 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Finding no other means of protection, the demigods began to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the enjoyer of all the results of sacrifice, who is supreme throughout the entire universe. The demigods all worshiped Him because ultimately no one but Him can protect a living entity from fear and danger.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-devāḥ ūcuḥthe demigods said
  2. vāyucomposed of air
  3. ambarasky
  4. agnifire
  5. apwater
  6. kṣitayaḥand land
  7. tri-lokāḥthe three worlds
  8. brahma-ādayaḥbeginning from Lord Brahmā
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “afraid”, “fear”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “protection”

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

Where do I seek shelter when I feel afraid?

Practice

Bring one fear to mind and offer a short prayer asking for shelter at the Supreme Lord’s feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Gives Actual FearlessnessThis 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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