FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.18.56

मातृष्वसुरभिप्रायमिन्द्र आज्ञाय मानद । शुश्रूषणेनाश्रमस्थां दितिं पर्यचरत्कवि: ॥ ५६ ॥
mātṛ-ṣvasur abhiprāyam
[maatri-shvasur abhipraayam]
indra ājñāya mānada
[indra aajnaaya maanada]
śuśrūṣaṇenāśrama-sthāṁ
[shushrooshanenaashrama-sthaam]
ditiṁ paryacarat kaviḥ
[ditim paryacharat kavih]
Word-for-word
mātṛ-svasuḥ — of his mother’s sister abhiprāyam — the intention indraḥ — Indra ājñāya — understanding māna-da — O King Parīkṣit, who give respect to everyone śuśrūṣaṇena — with service āśrama-sthām — residing in an āśrama ditim — Diti paryacarat — attended upon kaviḥ — seeing his own interest.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
mātṛ-ṣvasur abhiprāyam
mātṛ-svasuḥ
of his mother’s sister
abhiprāyam
the intention
indra ājñāya mānada
indraḥ
Indra
ājñāya
understanding
māna-da
O King Parīkṣit, who give respect to everyone
śuśrūṣaṇenāśrama-sthāṁ
śuśrūṣaṇena
with service
āśrama-sthām
residing in an āśrama
ditiṁ paryacarat kaviḥ
ditim
Diti
paryacarat
attended upon
kaviḥ
seeing his own interest.
O King, who are respectful to everyone, Indra understood Diti’s purpose, and thus he contrived to fulfill his own interests. Following the logic that self-preservation is the first law of nature, he wanted to break Diti’s promise. Thus he engaged himself in the service of Diti, his aunt, who was residing in an āśrama.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O respectful King! Intelligent Indra, understanding Diti's purpose, engaged himself in the service of Diti, who was at that time residing in a hermitage. Mātṛṣvasuḥ means “of Diti.”
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Indra understood her purpose and, following self-preservation, contrived to break her promise — entering her service as a humble servant. Spiritual rivalry uses humble service as a tactic.
Reflection Questions
  • When has someone served me humbly while seeking to undo me?
  • Have I done that to others?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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