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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 15: The Saints Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct King Citraketu
6.15.16.15.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.15.2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.15.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कोऽयं स्यात्तव राजेन्द्र भवान् यमनुशोचति ।

त्वं चास्य कतम: सृष्टौ पुरेदानीमत: परम् ॥ २ ॥

ko ’yaṁ syāt tava rājendra

bhavān yam anuśocati

tvaṁ cāsya katamaḥ sṛṣṭau

puredānīm ataḥ param

Translation

O King, what relationship does the dead body for which you lament have with you, and what relationship do you have with him? You may say that you are now related as father and son, but do you think this relationship existed before? Does it truly exist now? Will it continue in the future?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bodily Relationships Are Temporary

  1. 1

    Because of previous karma, we accept bodies in this temporary world and form temporary relationships.

  2. 2

    Relationships of society, friendship, love, nationality and community are all finished at death.

  3. 3

    These relationships did not exist in the past and will not exist in the future. Taking them as lasting realities is illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • The instructions given by Nārada and Aṅgirā Muni are the true spiritual instructions for the illusioned conditioned soul.
  • These temporary relationships did not exist in the past, nor will they exist in the future.
  • Therefore at the present moment the so-called relationships are illusions.

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:

The relationship did not exist before, nor will it stay in the future. By the arrangement of time, the relationship exists only in the present.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaḥwho
  2. ayamthis
  3. syātis
  4. tavato you
  5. rāja-indraO best of kings
  6. bhavānYour Lordship
  7. yamwhom
  8. anuśocatilaments over
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.15

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.15

    In this verse: “father”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.15

    In this verse: “lament”

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

Which temporary relationship do I tend to regard as permanent?

Practice

Write one sentence reminding yourself that a bodily relationship you cherish is temporary.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBodily Relationships Are TemporaryThis 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 6.15.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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