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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 17: Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu
6.17.16.17.4-5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.17.2-3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.17.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स लक्षं वर्षलक्षाणामव्याहतबलेन्द्रिय: ।

स्तूयमानो महायोगी मुनिभि: सिद्धचारणै: ॥ २ ॥

कुलाचलेन्द्रद्रोणीषु नानासङ्कल्पसिद्धिषु ।

रेमे विद्याधरस्त्रीभिर्गापयन् हरिमीश्वरम् ॥ ३ ॥

sa lakṣaṁ varṣa-lakṣāṇām

avyāhata-balendriyaḥ

stūyamāno mahā-yogī

munibhiḥ siddha-cāraṇaiḥ

kulācalendra-droṇīṣu

nānā-saṅkalpa-siddhiṣu

reme vidyādhara-strībhir

gāpayan harim īśvaram

Translation

Being praised by great sages and saints and by the inhabitants of Siddhaloka and Cāraṇaloka, Citraketu, the most powerful mystic yogī, wandered about enjoying life for millions of years. With bodily strength and senses free from deterioration, he traveled within the valleys of Sumeru Mountain, which is the place of perfection for various kinds of mystic power. In those valleys he enjoyed life with the women of Vidyādhara-loka by chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord, Hari.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Hari Amid Enjoyment

  1. 1

    Although surrounded by beautiful women from Vidyādhara-loka, Citraketu did not forget to glorify the Lord by chanting His holy name.

  2. 2

    His bodily strength and senses remained free from deterioration as he traveled and enjoyed life by chanting the glories of Hari.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee who is not contaminated by material conditions and remains engaged in chanting the Lord’s glories should be understood to be perfect.

Key points from the purport
  • It is to be understood that Mahārāja Citraketu, although surrounded by beautiful women from Vidyādhara-loka, did not forget to glorify the Lord by chanting the holy name of the Lord.
  • It has been proved in many places that one who is not contaminated by any material condition, who is a pure devotee engaged in chanting the glories of the Lord, should be understood to be perfect.

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 17: Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One day while traveling like this, he wandered into the bowers of Sumeru Mountain, where he came upon Lord Śiva embracing Pārvatī, surrounded by an assembly of Siddhas, Cāraṇas and great sages. Seeing Lord Śiva in that situation, Citraketu laughed very loudly, but Pārvatī became very angry at him and cursed him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Citraketu)
  2. lakṣamone hundred thousand
  3. varṣaof years
  4. lakṣāṇāmone hundred thousand
  5. avyāhatawithout hindrance
  6. bala-indriyaḥwhose strength and power of the senses
  7. stūyamānaḥbeing praised
  8. mahā-yogīthe great mystic yogī
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “chanting”, “glorify”, “holy name”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “material”

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

Do pleasant circumstances help you remember the Lord, or do they distract you?

Practice

During a pleasant moment today, take one minute to chant the Lord’s holy name.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Hari Amid EnjoymentThis 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 6.17.2-3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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