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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
6.9.26.9.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.3

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.9.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स एव हि ददौ भागं परोक्षमसुरान् प्रति ।

यजमानोऽवहद् भागं मातृस्‍नेहवशानुग: ॥ ३ ॥

sa eva hi dadau bhāgaṁ

parokṣam asurān prati

yajamāno ’vahad bhāgaṁ

mātṛ-sneha-vaśānugaḥ

Translation

Although offering clarified butter in the sacrificial fire in the name of the demigods, without the knowledge of the demigods he also offered oblations to the demons because they were his relatives through his mother.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Family Affection Shapes Secret Offerings

  1. 1

    Viśvarūpa felt affection for the families of both the demigods and the demons.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that he appeased the Supreme Lord on behalf of both dynasties.

  3. 3

    He offered oblations for the demons secretly, without the demigods’ knowledge, because the demons were his relatives through his mother.

Key points from the purport
  • Because of Viśvarūpa’s affection for the families of both the demigods and the demons, he appeased the Supreme Lord on behalf of both dynasties.
  • When he offered oblations in the fire on behalf of the asuras, he did so secretly, without the knowledge of the demigods.

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:

Because of affection for the demons, Viśvarūpa secretly supplied them the remnants of yajña. When Indra learned about this, he beheaded Viśvarūpa, but he later regretted killing Viśvarūpa because Viśvarūpa was a brāhmaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Viśvarūpa)
  2. evaindeed
  3. hicertainly
  4. dadauoffered
  5. bhāgamshare
  6. parokṣamwithout the knowledge of the demigods
  7. asurānthe demons
  8. pratiunto
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Does affection for relatives ever lead me to act without being open with those I serve?

Practice

Take a moment to examine whether family affection is influencing a responsibility you hold.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFamily Affection Shapes Secret OfferingsThis 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 6.9.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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