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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.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 15: The Saints Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct King Citraketu
6.15.12-156.15.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.15.16

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Citraketusince 6.15.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्माद्युवां ग्राम्यपशोर्मम मूढधिय: प्रभू ।

अन्धे तमसि मग्नस्य ज्ञानदीप उदीर्यताम् ॥ १६ ॥

tasmād yuvāṁ grāmya-paśor

mama mūḍha-dhiyaḥ prabhū

andhe tamasi magnasya

jñāna-dīpa udīryatām

Translation

Because you are great personalities, you can give me real knowledge. I am as foolish as a village animal like a pig or dog because I am merged in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, please ignite the torch of knowledge to save me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Approach a Guru for Spiritual Knowledge

  1. 1

    To receive transcendental knowledge, one must humbly approach a bona fide spiritual master. Genuine eagerness to remove ignorance is the qualification.

  2. 2

    A guru should not be approached for material benefits, cures or displays of magic. The purpose is to understand the science of spiritual life.

  3. 3

    A true guru opens the disciple's eyes with the torch of knowledge. He saves the disciple from the darkness of ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • Only one who is actually eager to receive knowledge to eradicate the darkness of ignorance is eligible to approach a guru, or spiritual master.
  • Tad-vijñānārtham: one should approach the guru to understand the transcendental science of spiritual life.
  • One who enlightens his disciple and saves him from rotting in the darkness of ignorance in this material world is a true guru.

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 15: The Saints Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct King Citraketu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As the King listened to the great sages, he was relieved from his false lamentation, and then he inquired about their identity. The great sages presented who they were and instructed that all sufferings are due to the bodily conception of life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. yuvāmboth of you
  3. grāmya-paśoḥof an animal like a hog, pig or dog
  4. mamame
  5. mūḍha-dhiyaḥwho am very foolish (due to having no spiritual knowledge)
  6. prabhūO my two lords
  7. andhein blind
  8. tamasidarkness
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.15

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.15

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking spiritual guidance for understanding, or mainly for material benefits?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about spiritual life, rather than a request for material gain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproach a Guru for Spiritual KnowledgeThis 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 6.15.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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