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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
6.9.526.9.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.53

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 6.9.47inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दध्यङ्‌ङाथर्वणस्त्वष्ट्रे वर्माभेद्यं मदात्मकम् ।

विश्वरूपाय यत्प्रादात् त्वष्टा यत्त्वमधास्तत: ॥ ५३ ॥

dadhyaṅṅ ātharvaṇas tvaṣṭre

varmābhedyaṁ mad-ātmakam

viśvarūpāya yat prādāt

tvaṣṭā yat tvam adhās tataḥ

Translation

Dadhyañca’s invincible protective covering known as the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca was given to Tvaṣṭā, who delivered it to his son Viśvarūpa, from whom you have received it. Because of this Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, Dadhīci’s body is now very strong. You should therefore beg him for his body.

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.

The Strength of the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca

  1. 1

    Dadhyañca gave the invincible protective covering called the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca to Tvaṣṭā.

  2. 2

    Tvaṣṭā delivered it to his son Viśvarūpa, from whom the Lord’s listener had received it.

  3. 3

    The Nārāyaṇa-kavaca had made Dadhīci’s body very strong. The Lord therefore instructed that he be asked for his body.

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:

Being pleased with the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead advised them to approach Dadhīci to beg him for the bones of his own body. Dadhīci would comply with the request of the demigods, and with the help of his bones Vṛtrāsura could be killed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dadhyaṅDadhyañca
  2. ātharvaṇaḥthe son of Atharvā
  3. tvaṣṭreunto Tvaṣṭā
  4. varmathe protective covering known as Nārāyaṇa-kavaca
  5. abhedyaminvincible
  6. mat-ātmakamconsisting of Myself
  7. viśvarūpāyaunto Viśvarūpa
  8. yatwhich
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: “protective”

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 this verse teach me about the protection associated with the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca?

Practice

Trace the transmission described here by writing the names Dadhyañca, Tvaṣṭā and Viśvarūpa in order.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Strength of the Nārāyaṇa-kavacaThis 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 6.9.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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