1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
6.14.76.14.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.14.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 6.14.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीसूत उवाच

परीक्षितोऽथ सम्प्रश्नं भगवान् बादरायणि: ।

निशम्य श्रद्दधानस्य प्रतिनन्द्य वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥ ८ ॥

śrī-sūta uvāca

parīkṣito ’tha sampraśnaṁ

bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ

niśamya śraddadhānasya

pratinandya vaco ’bravīt

Translation

Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: After hearing Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s very intelligent question, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the most powerful sage, began answering his disciple with great affection.

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.

Intelligent Questions Receive Affectionate Answers

  1. 1

    Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī describes Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s question as very intelligent.

  2. 2

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the most powerful sage, heard his disciple’s question before answering.

  3. 3

    He began his reply with great affection, showing warmth in the exchange between teacher and disciple.

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. śrī-sūtaḥ uvācaŚrī Sūta Gosvāmī said
  2. parīkṣitaḥof Mahārāja Parīkṣit
  3. athathus
  4. sampraśnamthe perfect question
  5. bhagavānthe most powerful
  6. bādarāyaṇiḥŚukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vyāsadeva
  7. niśamyahearing
  8. śraddadhānasyaof his disciple, who was so faithful in understanding the truth
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.14

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring both thoughtful inquiry and warmth into my study?

Practice

When someone asks you a sincere question today, listen fully and respond with kindness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIntelligent Questions Receive Affectionate AnswersThis 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 6.14.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories