Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 21
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
आत्मन: प्रीयते नात्मा परत: स्वत एव वा । लक्षयेऽलब्धकामं त्वां चिन्तया शबलं मुखम् ॥ २१ ॥
ātmanaḥ prīyate nātmā parataḥ svata eva vā lakṣaye ’labdha-kāmaṁ tvāṁ cintayā śabalaṁ mukham
O King Citraketu, I can observe that your mind is not pleased. You seem not to have achieved your desired goal. Is this because of you yourself, or has it been caused by others? Your pale face reflects your deep anxiety.
FAQs
This verse explains that inner satisfaction does not arise merely from oneself, from others, or automatically; when desires remain unfulfilled, the mind becomes disturbed and shows itself as anxiety and sorrow.
Seeing Citraketu’s grief and worry, Nārada identified the root cause—unfulfilled desire—and began guiding him from lamentation toward spiritual understanding and steadiness.
Notice when anxiety is driven by unmet expectations; instead of seeking relief only through external changes, address desire itself through reflection, devotional practice, and cultivating inner contentment.