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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 17: Mother Pārvatī Curses Citraketu
6.17.246.17.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.17.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.17.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति प्रसाद्य गिरिशौ चित्रकेतुररिन्दम ।

जगाम स्वविमानेन पश्यतो: स्मयतोस्तयो: ॥ २५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti prasādya giriśau

citraketur arindama

jagāma sva-vimānena

paśyatoḥ smayatos tayoḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King Parīkṣit, subduer of the enemy, after Citraketu satisfied Lord Śiva and his wife, Pārvatī, he boarded his airplane and left as they looked on. When Lord Śiva and Pārvatī saw that Citraketu, although informed of the curse, was unafraid, they smiled, being fully astonished by his behavior.

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.

Remain Unafraid While Showing Respect

  1. 1

    Citraketu satisfied Lord Śiva and Pārvatī before leaving. He then boarded his airplane as they watched.

  2. 2

    Although Citraketu knew of the curse, he was unafraid.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva and Pārvatī were fully astonished by his behavior. Seeing his fearlessness, they smiled.

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:

When Citraketu spoke in this way, all the members in the great assembly in which Lord Śiva and Pārvatī were present were astonished. Then Lord Śiva began speaking about the devotees of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. prasādyaafter satisfying
  4. giriśauLord Śiva and his wife, Pārvatī
  5. citraketuḥKing Citraketu
  6. arim-damaO King Parīkṣit, who are always able to subdue the enemy
  7. jagāmawent away
  8. sva-vimānenaby his own airplane
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “king”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “fearlessness”

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

What stands out to me about Citraketu’s respectful and fearless departure?

Practice

During one difficult interaction today, make an effort to remain calm and respectful.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Unafraid While Showing RespectThis 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 6.17.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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