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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
6.9.36.9.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.4

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

तद्देवहेलनं तस्य धर्मालीकं सुरेश्वर: ।

आलक्ष्य तरसा भीतस्तच्छीर्षाण्यच्छिनद् रुषा ॥ ४ ॥

tad deva-helanaṁ tasya

dharmālīkaṁ sureśvaraḥ

ālakṣya tarasā bhītas

tac-chīrṣāṇy acchinad ruṣā

Translation

Once upon a time, however, the King of heaven, Indra, understood that Viśvarūpa was secretly cheating the demigods by offering oblations on behalf of the demons. He became extremely afraid of being defeated by the demons, and in great anger at Viśvarūpa he cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.

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.

Fear and Anger Lead to Killing

  1. 1

    Indra discovered that Viśvarūpa was secretly offering oblations on behalf of the demons, thereby cheating the demigods.

  2. 2

    He became extremely afraid that the demons would defeat him.

  3. 3

    In great anger, Indra cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.

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. tatthat
  2. deva-helanamoffense to the demigods
  3. tasyaof him (Viśvarūpa)
  4. dharma-alīkamcheating in religious principles (pretending to be the priest of the demigods, but secretly acting as the priest of the demons also)
  5. sura-īśvaraḥthe king of the demigods
  6. ālakṣyaobserving
  7. tarasāquickly
  8. bhītaḥbeing afraid (that the demons would gain strength by being blessed by Viśvarūpa)
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “king”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “afraid”

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

How can fear influence my response when I discover that someone has deceived me?

Practice

If you feel deceived today, pause before responding and notice any fear or anger.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFear and Anger Lead to KillingThis 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 6.9.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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