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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
6.9.56.9.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.6

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

ब्रह्महत्यामञ्जलिना जग्राह

यदपीश्वर: ।

संवत्सरान्ते तदघं भूतानां स

विशुद्धये ।

भूम्यम्बुद्रुमयोषिद्‌भ्यश्चतुर्धा व्यभजद्धरि: ॥ ६ ॥

brahma-hatyām añjalinā

jagrāha yad apīśvaraḥ

saṁvatsarānte tad aghaṁ

bhūtānāṁ sa viśuddhaye

bhūmy-ambu-druma-yoṣidbhyaś

caturdhā vyabhajad dhariḥ

Translation

Although Indra was so powerful that he could neutralize the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa, he repentantly accepted the burden of these reactions with folded hands. He suffered for one year, and then to purify himself he distributed the reactions for this sinful killing among the earth, water, trees and women.

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.

Accept Responsibility With Repentance

  1. 1

    Indra had the power to neutralize the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa.

  2. 2

    Nevertheless, he repentantly accepted their burden with folded hands and suffered for one year.

  3. 3

    To purify himself, he then distributed the reactions among the earth, water, trees and women.

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:

Although competent to neutralize the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa, Indra did not do so. Instead he accepted the reactions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahma-hatyāmthe sinful reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa
  2. añjalināwith folded hands
  3. jagrāhaassumed the responsibility for
  4. yat apialthough
  5. īśvaraḥvery powerful
  6. saṁvatsara-anteafter one year
  7. tat aghamthat sinful reaction
  8. bhūtānāmof the material elements
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “purify”, “sinful”

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

Am I willing to accept responsibility for wrongdoing even when I could avoid its consequences?

Practice

Acknowledge one mistake today without making an excuse for it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Responsibility With RepentanceThis 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 6.9.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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