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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
6.9.236.9.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.24

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

पुरा स्वयम्भूरपि संयमाम्भ-

स्युदीर्णवातोर्मिरवै: कराले ।

एकोऽरविन्दात् पतितस्ततार

तस्माद् भयाद्येन स नोऽस्तु पार: ॥ २४ ॥

purā svayambhūr api saṁyamāmbhasy

udīrṇa-vātormi-ravaiḥ karāle

eko ’ravindāt patitas tatāra

tasmād bhayād yena sa no ’stu pāraḥ

Translation

In the beginning of creation, a tremendous wind caused fierce waves of inundating water. The great waves made such a horrible sound that Lord Brahmā almost fell from his seat on the lotus into the water of devastation, but he was saved with the help of the Lord. Thus we also expect the Lord to protect us from this dangerous condition.

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.

Even Brahmā Depends on the Lord’s Help

  1. 1

    At the beginning of creation, a tremendous wind raised fierce waves in the waters of devastation.

  2. 2

    The waves made such a horrible sound that Lord Brahmā almost fell from his lotus seat. He was saved with the Lord’s help.

  3. 3

    Remembering this protection, the demigods expressed their expectation that the Lord would also protect them in their dangerous condition.

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:

Since water was also infested with sinful reactions, when bubbles appear in water it cannot be used for any purpose. After Viśvarūpa was killed, his father, Tvaṣṭā, performed a sacrifice to kill King Indra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. purāformerly (during the time of creation)
  2. svayambhūḥLord Brahmā
  3. apialso
  4. saṁyama-ambhasiin the water of inundation
  5. udīrṇavery high
  6. vātaof wind
  7. ūrmiand of waves
  8. ravaiḥby the sounds
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protect”, “saved”, “protection”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dangerous”

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 does Brahmā’s need for the Lord’s help teach me about dependence on Him?

Practice

Offer one simple prayer acknowledging your dependence on the Lord’s help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Brahmā Depends on the Lord’s HelpThis 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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