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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 16: King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord
6.16.116.16.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.16.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.16.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitAṅgirā and Nārada Muni → King Citraketu

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच

इत्युदीर्य गतो जीवो ज्ञातयस्तस्य ते तदा ।

विस्मिता मुमुचु: शोकं छित्त्वात्मस्‍नेहश‍ृङ्खलाम् ॥ १२ ॥

śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca

ity udīrya gato jīvo

jñātayas tasya te tadā

vismitā mumucuḥ śokaṁ

chittvātma-sneha-śṛṅkhalām

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: When the conditioned soul [jīva] in the form of Mahārāja Citraketu’s son had spoken in this way and then left, Citraketu and the other relatives of the dead son were all astonished. Thus they cut off the shackles of their affection, which was due to their relationship with him, and gave up their lamentation.

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.

Hearing Truth Loosens the Bonds of Lamentation

  1. 1

    The living entity who had appeared as Citraketu’s son spoke and then departed.

  2. 2

    Citraketu and the other relatives were astonished by his words. They cut off the shackles of affection arising from their relationship with him.

  3. 3

    With those bonds loosened, they gave up their lamentation. The verse shows a change in their understanding of the relationship.

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 16: King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

For a certain period of time, one receives a particular type of body as a son or father in a false relationship. All our relationships in this material world with friends, relatives or enemies consist of duality, in which one feels happy and distressed on the basis of illusion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bādarāyaṇiḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itiin this way
  3. udīryaspeaking
  4. gataḥwent
  5. jīvaḥthe living entity (who had appeared as the son of Mahārāja Citraketu)
  6. jñātayaḥthe relatives and family members
  7. tasyaof him
  8. tethey
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.16

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 6.16

    In this verse: “lamentation”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.16

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does this verse invite me to reconsider about the relationships I call mine?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and reflect for a minute on the distinction between the living entity and his role as a son.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Truth Loosens the Bonds of LamentationThis 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 6.16.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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