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

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
6.17.266.17.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.17.27

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 6.17.27inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीरुद्र उवाच

द‍ृष्टवत्यसि सुश्रोणि हरेरद्भ‍ुतकर्मण: ।

माहात्म्यं भृत्यभृत्यानां नि:स्पृहाणां महात्मनाम् ॥ २७ ॥

śrī-rudra uvāca

dṛṣṭavaty asi suśroṇi

harer adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ

māhātmyaṁ bhṛtya-bhṛtyānāṁ

niḥspṛhāṇāṁ mahātmanām

Translation

Lord Śiva said: My dear beautiful Pārvatī, have you seen the greatness of the Vaiṣṇavas? Being servants of the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, they are great souls and are not interested in any kind of material happiness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Devotee’s Greatness Shines Through Tolerance

  1. 1

    Vaiṣṇavas are great souls because they are servants of the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. They have no ambition for material happiness.

  2. 2

    Citraketu accepted Pārvatī’s curse without fear or retaliation. He offered her respect, called her mother and considered himself faulty.

  3. 3

    Like a tree, a devotee tolerates curses and reversals in life. Lord Śiva explained that Citraketu’s tolerance excelled Pārvatī’s power without any display of power.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva, the husband of Pārvatī, told his wife, “My dear Pārvatī, you are very beautiful in your bodily features.
  • Of course, Lord Śiva smiled when he joked with his wife in that way, for others cannot speak like that.
  • Indirectly, Lord Śiva forbade Pārvatī to commit the mistake of cursing a devotee like Citraketu.

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:

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-rudraḥ uvācaLord Śiva said
  2. dṛṣṭavatī asihave you seen
  3. su-śroṇiO beautiful Pārvatī
  4. hareḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. adbhuta-karmaṇaḥwhose acts are wonderful
  6. māhātmyamthe greatness
  7. bhṛtya-bhṛtyānāmof the servants of the servants
  8. niḥspṛhāṇāmwho are without ambitions for sense gratification
  9. mahātmanāmgreat souls
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.17

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

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

When I feel offended, do I value tolerance more than proving my strength?

Practice

When a small irritation arises today, pause and respond respectfully rather than retaliating.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Devotee’s Greatness Shines Through ToleranceThis 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 6.17.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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