FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.5.31

भ्रातृणां प्रायणं भ्राता योऽनुतिष्ठति धर्मवित् । स पुण्यबन्धु: पुरुषो मरुद्भ‍ि: सह मोदते ॥ ३१ ॥
bhrātṝṇāṁ prāyaṇaṁ bhrātā
[bhraatreenaam praayanam bhraataa]
yo ’nutiṣṭhati dharmavit
[yo ’nutishthati dharmavit]
sa puṇya-bandhuḥ puruṣo
[sa punya-bandhuh purusho]
marudbhiḥ saha modate
[marudbhih saha modate]
Word-for-word
bhrātṝṇām — of elder brothers prāyaṇam — the path bhrātā — a faithful brother yaḥ — one who anutiṣṭhati — follows dharma-vit — knowing the religious principles saḥ — that puṇya-bandhuḥ — highly pious puruṣaḥ — person marudbhiḥ — the demigods of the winds saha — with modate — enjoys life.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
bhrātṝṇāṁ prāyaṇaṁ bhrātā
bhrātṝṇām
of elder brothers
prāyaṇam
the path
bhrātā
a faithful brother
yo ’nutiṣṭhati dharmavit
sa puṇya-bandhuḥ puruṣo
yaḥ
one who
anutiṣṭhati
follows
dharma-vit
knowing the religious principles
marudbhiḥ saha modate
saḥ
that
puṇya-bandhuḥ
highly pious
puruṣaḥ
person
marudbhiḥ
the demigods of the winds
saha
with
modate
enjoys life.
A brother aware of the principles of religion follows in the footsteps of his elder brothers. Because of being highly elevated, such a pious brother gets the opportunity to associate and enjoy with demigods like the Maruts, who are all affectionate to their brothers.
Purport

According to their belief in various material relationships, people are promoted to various planets. Here it is said that one who is very faithful to his brothers should follow a path similar to theirs and get the opportunity for promotion to Marudloka. Nārada Muni advised Prajāpati Dakṣa’s second group of sons to follow their elder brothers and be promoted to the spiritual world.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
A brother, knower of dharma, who follows the path of renunciation of his brothers, full of piety, enjoys life with the Maruts. You will enjoy with the Maruts who were affectionate to their brothers. This example indicates, “You will enjoy with your elder brothers who have gone to Vaikuṇṭha.”
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
A religiously aware younger brother follows the elder's footsteps and enjoys elevated association with Maruts in higher planets. There is dignity, not weakness, in walking behind one who has already walked.
Reflection Questions
  • Whose footsteps am I too proud to follow?
  • What humility would allow me to inherit a real path?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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