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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 16: King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord
6.16.126.16.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.16.13

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

निर्हृत्य ज्ञातयो ज्ञातेर्देहं कृत्वोचिता: क्रिया: ।

तत्यजुर्दुस्त्यजं स्‍नेहं शोकमोहभयार्तिदम् ॥ १३ ॥

nirhṛtya jñātayo jñāter

dehaṁ kṛtvocitāḥ kriyāḥ

tatyajur dustyajaṁ snehaṁ

śoka-moha-bhayārtidam

Translation

After the relatives had discharged their duties by performing the proper funeral ceremonies and burning the dead child’s body, they gave up the affection that leads to illusion, lamentation, fear and pain. Such affection is undoubtedly difficult to give up, but they gave it up very easily.

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.

Fulfill Duties While Releasing Illusory Attachment

  1. 1

    The relatives performed the proper funeral ceremonies and burned the child’s body. They discharged their duties rather than neglecting them.

  2. 2

    They gave up the affection that leads to illusion, lamentation, fear and pain.

  3. 3

    Such affection is ordinarily very difficult to give up. Yet the relatives were able to relinquish it very easily.

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:

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. The living entity is actually a spiritual soul who is part and parcel of God and has nothing to do with relationships in the world of duality.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirhṛtyaremoving
  2. jñātayaḥKing Citraketu and all the other relatives
  3. jñāteḥof the son
  4. dehamthe body
  5. kṛtvāperforming
  6. ucitāḥsuitable
  7. kriyāḥactivities
  8. tatyajuḥgave up
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: “give up”, “gave up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.16

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 6.16

    In this verse: “duties”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I fulfill a responsibility without strengthening attachment that brings fear and pain?

Practice

Complete one family responsibility today, then briefly notice any fear or possessiveness connected with it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFulfill Duties While Releasing Illusory AttachmentThis 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 6.16.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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