Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.14.29
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesStrong Desire Can Obscure Wise Counsel
“Thereafter, the great sage told the King, “O great King, now you will have a son who will be the cause of both jubilation and lamentation.” The sage then left, without waiting for Citraketu’s response.”
What the purport teaches
- The sage said that Citraketu’s son would bring both jubilation and lamentation. Overwhelmed with joy, the King did not actually understand the warning.
- Citraketu imagined that his only son might become proud and disobedient. He accepted this possibility, thinking that such a son was better than no son.
- Cāṇakya Paṇḍita compares a son who is neither learned nor a devotee to a blind, diseased eye that causes suffering. The purport challenges the desire for a son without regard for learning and devotion.
Try this today
Review one piece of advice you have received and note any caution you may have overlooked.
Ask yourself
Has eagerness for something made me overlook a warning or neglect the importance of devotion?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.