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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
6.17.336.17.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 6.17.34-35

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

तस्य चायं महाभागश्चित्रकेतु: प्रियोऽनुग: ।

सर्वत्र समद‍ृक् शान्तो ह्यहं चैवाच्युतप्रिय: ॥ ३४ ॥

तस्मान्न विस्मय: कार्य: पुरुषेषु महात्मसु ।

महापुरुषभक्तेषु शान्तेषु समदर्शिषु ॥ ३५ ॥

tasya cāyaṁ mahā-bhāgaś

citraketuḥ priyo ’nugaḥ

sarvatra sama-dṛk śānto

hy ahaṁ caivācyuta-priyaḥ

tasmān na vismayaḥ kāryaḥ

puruṣeṣu mahātmasu

mahāpuruṣa-bhakteṣu

śānteṣu sama-darśiṣu

Translation

This magnanimous Citraketu is a dear devotee of the Lord. He is equal to all living entities and is free from attachment and hatred. Similarly, I am also very dear to Lord Nārāyaṇa. Therefore, no one should be astonished to see the activities of the most exalted devotees of Nārāyaṇa, for they are free from attachment and envy. They are always peaceful, and they are equal to everyone.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understand Exalted Devotees Without Hasty Judgment

  1. 1

    Exalted devotees are peaceful and equal to everyone, free from attachment and envy. Their activities should not mislead or astonish us.

  2. 2

    The Lord and His devotees are both liberated and qualitatively alike, but the Lord remains the master and the devotees remain servants. Those who serve Him in devotion are extremely dear to Him.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva understood Citraketu’s laughter as friendly joking, not hostility. He explained to Pārvatī that there was no reason to curse Citraketu.

Key points from the purport
  • In effect, Lord Śiva told Pārvatī, “Both Citraketu and I are always very dear to the Supreme Lord.
  • Thus Lord Śiva tried to convince his wife, Pārvatī, that her cursing of Citraketu was not very sensible.
  • Upon hearing the instructions of Lord Śiva, Pārvatī must have been very much ashamed for cursing Citraketu to become a demon.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 6.17.34-35 quotesBG 9.29

In Bhagavad-gītā (9.29) the Lord says: na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Him (the Lord)
  2. caand
  3. ayamthis
  4. mahā-bhāgaḥthe most fortunate
  5. citraketuḥKing Citraketu
  6. priyaḥbeloved
  7. anugaḥmost obedient servant
  8. sarvatraeverywhere
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “free from”

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 a devotee’s behavior puzzles you, do you seek understanding before judging?

Practice

Pause before making one judgment about a devotee today, and consider whether you have understood their intention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand Exalted Devotees Without Hasty JudgmentThis 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 6.17.34-35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.