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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
6.17.406.18.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.17.41

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.17.36inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

य एतत्प्रातरुत्थाय श्रद्धया वाग्यत: पठेत् ।

इतिहासं हरिं स्मृत्वा स याति परमां गतिम् ॥ ४१ ॥

ya etat prātar utthāya

śraddhayā vāg-yataḥ paṭhet

itihāsaṁ hariṁ smṛtvā

sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Translation

One who rises from bed early in the morning and recites this history of Citraketu, controlling his words and mind and remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will return home, back to Godhead, without difficulty.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recite While Remembering the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The verse encourages rising early in the morning and reciting the history of Citraketu.

  2. 2

    This recitation should be accompanied by control of words and mind and remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The promised result is to return home, back to Godhead, without difficulty.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Seventeenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam entitled “Mother Pārvatī Curses 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:

The so-called demigods consider themselves independent lords, and in this way they are misled from understanding that all living entities are part of the Supreme. This chapter concludes by glorifying the devotee and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥany person who
  2. etatthis
  3. prātaḥearly in the morning
  4. utthāyarising
  5. śraddhayāwith faith
  6. vāk-yataḥcontrolling the mind and words
  7. paṭhetmay read
  8. itihāsamhistory
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “recites”, “reciting”

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

How could your recitation become more attentive and centered on remembering the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Recite a short portion of Citraketu’s history today, keeping your words and mind focused on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecite While Remembering the Supreme LordThis 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 6.17.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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