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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 14: King Citraketu’s Lamentation
6.14.526.14.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.53

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.14.42inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स्तनद्वयं कुङ्कुमपङ्कमण्डितं

निषिञ्चती साञ्जनबाष्पबिन्दुभि: ।

विकीर्य केशान् विगलत्स्रज: सुतं

शुशोच चित्रं कुररीव सुस्वरम् ॥ ५३ ॥

stana-dvayaṁ kuṅkuma-paṅka-maṇḍitaṁ

niṣiñcatī sāñjana-bāṣpa-bindubhiḥ

vikīrya keśān vigalat-srajaḥ sutaṁ

śuśoca citraṁ kurarīva susvaram

Translation

The garland of flowers decorating the Queen’s head fell, and her hair scattered. Falling tears melted the collyrium on her eyes and moistened her breasts, which were covered with kuṅkuma powder. As she lamented the loss of her son, her loud crying resembled the sweet sound of a kurarī bird.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Queen’s Grief Becomes Visible

  1. 1

    The flower garland fell from the Queen’s head, and her hair became scattered.

  2. 2

    Her tears melted her eye ointment and moistened her breasts, which were covered with kuṅkuma powder.

  3. 3

    She cried loudly for her son. Her crying resembled the sweet sound of a kurarī bird.

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:

The co-wives of Kṛtadyuti, however, were envious, and later they administered poison to the child. Citraketu was overwhelmed by shock at his son’s death.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. stana-dvayamher two breasts
  2. kuṅkumawith kuṅkuma powder (which is generally sprayed on the breasts of women)
  3. paṅkaointment
  4. maṇḍitamdecorated
  5. niṣiñcatīmoistening
  6. sa-añjanamixed with the eye ointment
  7. bāṣpaof tears
  8. bindubhiḥby drops
3

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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “lamented”, “crying”, “cried”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “sweet”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I recognize deep sorrow without judging how someone expresses it?

Practice

Read the description slowly, pausing to acknowledge the Queen’s suffering.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Queen’s Grief Becomes VisibleThis 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 6.14.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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