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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 62: The Meeting of Ūṣā and Aniruddha
10.62.1510.62.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.62.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Citralekhāsince 10.62.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

चित्रलेखोवाच

व्यसनं तेऽपकर्षामि त्रिलोक्यां यदि भाव्यते ।

तमानेष्ये नरं यस्ते मनोहर्ता तमादिश ॥ १६ ॥

citralekhovāca

vyasanaṁ te ’pakarṣāmi

tri-lokyāṁ yadi bhāvyate

tam āneṣye varaṁ yas te

mano-hartā tam ādiśa

Translation

Citralekhā said: I will remove your distress. If He is to be found anywhere in the three worlds, I will bring this future husband of yours who has stolen your heart. Please show me who He is.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Citralekhā Offers Help Through Her Talent

  1. 1

    Citralekhā promised to remove Ūṣā’s distress and bring her future husband if He could be found anywhere in the three worlds.

  2. 2

    She asked Ūṣā to identify the one who had stolen her heart.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that citra means “excellent” or “variegated,” and lekhā means “the art of drawing or painting.” Citralekhā would now use the talent indicated by her name.

Key points from the purport
  • Interestingly, the name Citralekhā indicates a person skilled in the art of drawing or painting.
  • Citra means “excellent” or “variegated,” and lekhā means “the art of drawing or painting.”
  • Citralekhā, as described in the following verse, will now utilize the talent indicated by her name.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 62: The Meeting of Ūṣā and Aniruddha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Hearing of Ūṣā’s dreamlover, Citralekhā tried to relieve her friend’s distress by drawing pictures of Gandharvas and other celestial personalities, as well as various men of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty. Citralekhā asked Ūṣā to pick out the man she had seen in her dreams, and Ūṣā pointed to the picture of Aniruddha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.62
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. citralekhā uvācaCitralekhā said
  2. vyasanamdistress
  3. teyour
  4. apakarṣāmiI will take away
  5. tri-lokyāmwithin the three worlds
  6. yadiif
  7. bhāvyateHe is to be found
  8. tamHim
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.62

    In this verse: “distress”

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 skill could you use to help someone who is distressed?

Practice

Use one skill you already have to offer a small, practical kindness to someone today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCitralekhā Offers Help Through Her TalentThis 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 10.62.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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