Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 51
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
श्रुत्वा मृतं पुत्रमलक्षितान्तकं विनष्टदृष्टि: प्रपतन् स्खलन् पथि । स्नेहानुबन्धैधितया शुचा भृशं विमूर्च्छितोऽनुप्रकृतिर्द्विजैर्वृत: ॥ ५० ॥ पपात बालस्य स पादमूले मृतस्य विस्रस्तशिरोरुहाम्बर: । दीर्घं श्वसन् बाष्पकलोपरोधतो निरुद्धकण्ठो न शशाक भाषितुम् ॥ ५१ ॥
śrutvā mṛtaṁ putram alakṣitāntakaṁ vinaṣṭa-dṛṣṭiḥ prapatan skhalan pathi snehānubandhaidhitayā śucā bhṛśaṁ vimūrcchito ’nuprakṛtir dvijair vṛtaḥ
Umgeben von seinen Ministern und den Brāhmaṇas näherte sich der König und fiel bewusstlos zu den Füßen des Kindes; sein Haar und seine Kleidung waren zerstreut. Als der König schwer atmend das Bewusstsein wiedererlangte, waren seine Augen voller Tränen, und er konnte nicht sprechen, da ihm die Kehle zugeschnürt war.
FAQs
This verse shows that grief intensifies when the heart is bound by affection (sneha-anubandha); the shock of loss can overwhelm one’s natural composure, revealing the need for spiritual grounding beyond temporary relationships.
Because his deep attachment to his son inflamed his sorrow; in that moment his vision failed, he ran and stumbled, and he lost consciousness—illustrating how sudden death can shatter worldly stability.
Cultivate loving relationships while remembering impermanence; strengthen daily spiritual practice so that unexpected loss does not completely break one’s inner balance.