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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
6.16.646.17.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.16.65

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.16.65inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

आश्वास्य भगवानित्थं चित्रकेतुं जगद्गुरु: ।

पश्यतस्तस्य विश्वात्मा ततश्चान्तर्दधे हरि: ॥ ६५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

āśvāsya bhagavān itthaṁ

citraketuṁ jagad-guruḥ

paśyatas tasya viśvātmā

tataś cāntardadhe hariḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After thus instructing Citraketu and assuring him of perfection in this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme spiritual master, the supreme soul, Saṅkarṣaṇa, disappeared from that place as Citraketu looked on.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Instructs and Assures

  1. 1

    Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes how the Lord instructed Citraketu and assured him of perfection.

  2. 2

    Saṅkarṣaṇa is identified as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme spiritual master and the supreme soul.

  3. 3

    After giving His instruction and assurance, the Lord disappeared from that place while Citraketu looked on.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Sixteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord.”

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 16: King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Unless one becomes a devotee, one cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After Citraketu finished his prayers, the unlimited Supreme Lord explained knowledge of Himself to Citraketu.
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-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. āśvāsyaassuring
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. itthamthus
  5. citraketumKing Citraketu
  6. jagat-guruḥthe supreme spiritual master
  7. paśyataḥwhile looking on
  8. tasyahe
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Lord’s role as the supreme spiritual master shape my willingness to receive His guidance?

Practice

Read this translation slowly once today, pausing over the Lord’s instruction and assurance of perfection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Instructs and AssuresThis 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 6.16.65? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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