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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
  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
6.14.36.14.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.4

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 6.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रायो मुमुक्षवस्तेषां केचनैव द्विजोत्तम ।

मुमुक्षूणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिन्मुच्येत सिध्यति ॥ ४ ॥

prāyo mumukṣavas teṣāṁ

kecanaiva dvijottama

mumukṣūṇāṁ sahasreṣu

kaścin mucyeta sidhyati

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, out of many persons who follow religious principles, only a few desire liberation from the material world. Among many thousands who desire liberation, one may actually achieve liberation, giving up material attachment to society, friendship, love, country, home, wife and children. And among many thousands of such liberated persons, one who can understand the true meaning of liberation is very rare.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Liberation Requires Freedom from Material Attachment

  1. 1

    A karmī seeks bodily comfort within the material world, while a jñānī aspires for liberation from material bondage.

  2. 2

    Among thousands who desire liberation, one may actually become liberated during life, giving up material attachment to society, friendship, country and family.

  3. 3

    Among many in the vānaprastha stage, one may understand the value of becoming a sannyāsī and completely accepting the renounced order.

Key points from the purport
  • Among many such persons who aspire for liberation, one may actually be liberated during his life.
  • Such a person gives up his attachment for society, friendship, love, country, family, wife and children.
  • Among many such persons, who are in the vānaprastha stage, one may understand the value of becoming a sannyāsī, completely accepting the renounced order of life.

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:

Among many millions of living entities, the number of human beings is extremely small, and among human beings who are actually religious, only some are eager to be liberated from material existence. Among many thousands of people who desire relief from material existence, one is freed from the association of unwanted persons or is relieved of material contamination.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prāyaḥalmost always
  2. mumukṣavaḥpersons interested in liberation
  3. teṣāmof them
  4. kecanasome
  5. evaindeed
  6. dvija-uttamaO best of the brāhmaṇas
  7. mumukṣūṇāmof those who desire to be liberated
  8. sahasreṣuin many thousands
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my main aim bodily comfort, or do I genuinely want freedom from material bondage?

Practice

Identify one unnecessary bodily comfort you pursue, and set aside that pursuit for today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLiberation Requires Freedom from Material AttachmentThis 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 6.14.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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