1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 17: Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu

6.17.9 6.17.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.17.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.17.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्यतद्वीर्यविदुषि ब्रुवाणे बह्वशोभनम् ।

रुषाह देवी धृष्टाय निर्जितात्माभिमानिने ॥ १० ॥

ity atad-vīrya-viduṣi

bruvāṇe bahv-aśobhanam

ruṣāha devī dhṛṣṭāya

nirjitātmābhimānine

Translation

Not knowing the prowess of Lord Śiva and Pārvatī, Citraketu strongly criticized them. His statements were not at all pleasing, and therefore the goddess Pārvatī, being very angry, spoke as follows to Citraketu, who thought himself better than Lord Śiva in controlling the senses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chant Humbly and Respect Others

1
Although Citraketu did not mean to insult Lord Śiva, he should not have criticized him for transgressing social customs.
2
Having received Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s favor, Citraketu became somewhat proud and thought he could criticize anyone. Such pride in a devotee is never tolerated.
3
A Vaiṣṇava should remain humble and meek, offer respect to others, and avoid minimizing their position. It is better to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra with humility and tolerance.

Key points from the purport

Citraketu should have known that Lord Śiva, although sitting in that way, was not to be criticized.
The difficulty was that Citraketu, having become a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu, Saṅkarṣaṇa, was somewhat proud at having achieved Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s favor and therefore thought that he could now criticize anyone, even Lord Śiva.
The word nirjitātmābhimānine indicates that Citraketu thought himself a better controller of the senses than Lord Śiva, although actually he was not.

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

Chapter 17: Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Seeing Lord Śiva in that situation, Citraketu laughed very loudly, but Pārvatī became very angry at him and cursed him. Because of this curse, Citraketu later appeared as the demon Vṛtrāsura.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 6.17

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

itithus
a-tat-vīrya-viduṣiwhen Citraketu, who did not know the prowess of Lord Śiva
bruvāṇespoke
bahu-aśobhanamthat which is not up to the standard of etiquette (the criticism of the exalted Lord Śiva)
ruṣāwith anger
āhasaid
devīthe goddess Pārvatī
dhṛṣṭāyaunto Citraketu, who was quite shameless
nirjita-ātmaas one who has controlled his senses
abhimāninethinking of himself

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
Dainya · Humility
Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 6.17
In this verse: “humble”, “humility”, “pride”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.17
In this verse: “devotee”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.17
In this verse: “chant”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does progress in devotional service make you more respectful, or more ready to find fault?

Practice

Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra for one minute while consciously setting aside the wish to be honored.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChant Humbly and Respect OthersThis 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 6.17.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories