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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
6.14.66.14.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 6.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अत्र न: संशयो भूयाञ्छ्रोतुं कौतूहलं प्रभो ।

य: पौरुषेण समरे सहस्राक्षमतोषयत् ॥ ७ ॥

atra naḥ saṁśayo bhūyāñ

chrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ prabho

yaḥ pauruṣeṇa samare

sahasrākṣam atoṣayat

Translation

My dear lord, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, although Vṛtrāsura was a sinful demon, he showed the prowess of a most exalted kṣatriya and satisfied Lord Indra in battle. How could such a demon be a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa? These contradictions have caused me great doubt, and they have made me eager to hear of this from you.

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.

Let Doubt Lead to Eager Hearing

  1. 1

    Although described as a sinful demon, Vṛtrāsura showed the prowess of a most exalted kṣatriya and satisfied Lord Indra in battle.

  2. 2

    His position as a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa seemed contradictory to King Parīkṣit.

  3. 3

    Parīkṣit openly expressed his doubt to Śukadeva Gosvāmī and became eager to hear the explanation.

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:

In this Fourteenth Chapter, Parīkṣit Mahārāja asks his spiritual master, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, how such a demon as Vṛtrāsura could become an exalted devotee. In this connection the previous life of Vṛtrāsura is discussed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atrain this connection
  2. naḥour
  3. saṁśayaḥdoubt
  4. bhūyāngreat
  5. śrotumto hear
  6. kautūhalameagerness
  7. prabhoO my lord
  8. yaḥhe who
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I let a spiritual doubt make me more eager to hear rather than turn away?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about devotional life that you would like to ask someone who can explain it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Doubt Lead to Eager HearingThis 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.

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