Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 9
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमाश्वासितो राजा चित्रकेतुर्द्विजोक्तिभि: । विमृज्य पाणिना वक्त्रमाधिम्लानमभाषत ॥ ९ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam āśvāsito rājā citraketur dvijoktibhiḥ vimṛjya pāṇinā vaktram ādhi-mlānam abhāṣata
قال شري شوكاديفا غوسوامي: هكذا، بعدما واساه ناردَا وأنغيرا بتعاليمهما، امتلأ الملك تشترَكيتو رجاءً بفضل المعرفة. مسح بيده وجهه الذابل ثم شرع يتكلم.
FAQs
This verse shows that genuine relief from grief begins by receiving wise spiritual counsel; King Citraketu, consoled by the brāhmaṇas, regains composure and is able to speak and move forward.
In this episode, Citraketu is overwhelmed by sorrow, and the brāhmaṇas instruct and reassure him so he can understand the situation through dharma and spiritual knowledge rather than emotional devastation.
Seek grounding guidance from spiritually mature, compassionate teachers and then act from clarity—like Citraketu, who first steadies himself and then responds thoughtfully rather than from raw grief.