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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 6 · Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation
6.14.286.14.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Citraketusince 6.14.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथाह नृपतिं राजन् भवितैकस्तवात्मज: ।

हर्षशोकप्रदस्तुभ्यमिति

ब्रह्मसुतो ययौ ॥ २९ ॥

athāha nṛpatiṁ rājan

bhavitaikas tavātmajaḥ

harṣa-śoka-pradas tubhyam

iti brahma-suto yayau

Translation

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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strong Desire Can Obscure Wise Counsel

  1. 1

    The sage said that Citraketu’s son would bring both jubilation and lamentation. Overwhelmed with joy, the King did not actually understand the warning.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

Key points from the purport
  • Because of his great jubilation, he could not actually understand the statement of the sage Aṅgirā.
  • Thus the King was satisfied, thinking, “Let there be a son.
  • The King accepted this philosophy, thinking that a disobedient son would be better than no son at all.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Parental grief → Detachment and surrender. A flashback discloses the devotional history behind Vṛtrāsura.

Chapters 14–17 of Canto 6: Citraketu's grief, realization and curse. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Aṅgirā inquired from the King about his welfare, the King expressed his moroseness, and therefore by the grace of the great sage, the King’s first wife, Kṛtadyuti, gave birth to a son, who was the cause of both happiness and lamentation. Upon the birth of this son, the King and all the residents of the palace were very happy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathereafter
  2. āhasaid
  3. nṛpatimunto the King
  4. rājanO King Citraketu
  5. bhavitāthere will be
  6. ekaḥone
  7. tavayour
  8. ātmajaḥson
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “lamentation”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Has eagerness for something made me overlook a warning or neglect the importance of devotion?

Practice

Review one piece of advice you have received and note any caution you may have overlooked.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrong Desire Can Obscure Wise CounselThis 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 6.14.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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