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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
6.17.236.17.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.17.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Citraketusince 6.17.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथ प्रसादये न त्वां शापमोक्षाय भामिनि ।

यन्मन्यसे ह्यसाधूक्तं मम तत्क्षम्यतां सति ॥ २४ ॥

atha prasādaye na tvāṁ

śāpa-mokṣāya bhāmini

yan manyase hy asādhūktaṁ

mama tat kṣamyatāṁ sati

Translation

O mother, you are now unnecessarily angry, but since all my happiness and distress are destined by my past activities, I do not plead to be excused or relieved from your curse. Although what I have said is not wrong, please let whatever you think is wrong be pardoned.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Forgiveness Without Demanding Relief

  1. 1

    Citraketu understood that the results of karma come through the laws of nature. He therefore did not ask to be released from Pārvatī’s curse.

  2. 2

    Although he did not consider his words wrong, he recognized that Pārvatī was displeased and wanted to satisfy her.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Citraketu begged pardon from Pārvatī. His request was for forgiveness, not escape from the curse.

Key points from the purport
  • Being fully aware of how the results of one’s karma accrue by the laws of nature, Citraketu did not want to be released from Pārvatī’s curse.
  • Nonetheless, he wanted to satisfy her because although his verdict was natural, she was displeased with him.
  • As a matter of course, Mahārāja Citraketu begged pardon from Pārvatī.

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:

Citraketu, however, was not at all afraid of Pārvatī’s curse, and thus he spoke as follows: “Everyone in human society enjoys happiness and distress according to his past deeds and in this way travels in the material world. Therefore no one is responsible for his happiness and distress.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.17
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athatherefore
  2. prasādayeI am trying to please
  3. nanot
  4. tvāmyou
  5. śāpa-mokṣāyafor being released from your curse
  6. bhāminiO most angry one
  7. yatwhich
  8. manyaseyou consider
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “mother”

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

Can I seek forgiveness for displeasing someone without insisting that I was right?

Practice

If your words have displeased someone, offer a simple apology without demanding anything in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Forgiveness Without Demanding ReliefThis 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 6.17.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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