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

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Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

6.14.34 6.14.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.35

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:King Citraketusince 6.14.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ववर्ष कामानन्येषां पर्जन्य इव देहिनाम् ।

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं कुमारस्य महामना: ॥ ३५ ॥

vavarṣa kāmān anyeṣāṁ

parjanya iva dehinām

dhanyaṁ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṁ

kumārasya mahā-manāḥ

Translation

As a cloud indiscriminately pours water on the earth, the beneficent King Citraketu, to increase the reputation, opulence and longevity of his son, distributed like rainfall all desirable things to everyone.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Charity Like Rainfall

1
The beneficent King Citraketu distributed desirable things to everyone.
2
His giving is compared to a cloud pouring water indiscriminately upon the earth.
3
He gave with the desire to increase his son’s reputation, opulence, and longevity.

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

Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Being doubtful, Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who then described Vṛtrāsura with reference to his previous birth as Citraketu, the King of Śūrasena. Citraketu, who had no sons, got an opportunity to meet the great sage Aṅgirā.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.14

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

vavarṣashowered, gave in charity
kāmānall desirable things
anyeṣāmof others
parjanyaḥa cloud
ivalike
dehināmof all living entities
dhanyamwith the desire for an increase of opulence
yaśasyaman increase of reputation

Key ideas in this verse

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

Ūti · The creative impetus
Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.14
In this verse: “king”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my generosity reach beyond the people I usually favor?

Practice

Give something useful to someone outside your usual circle of giving.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCharity Like RainfallThis 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 6.14.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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