Shloka 26
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
श्रीशुक उवाच भक्तायैतां प्रपन्नाय विद्यामादिश्य नारद: । ययावङ्गिरसा साकं धाम स्वायम्भुवं प्रभो ॥ २६ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca bhaktāyaitāṁ prapannāya vidyām ādiśya nāradaḥ yayāv aṅgirasā sākaṁ dhāma svāyambhuvaṁ prabho
Śrī Śukadeva sprach: Weil Citraketu ein völlig hingegebener Bhakta war, unterwies Nārada ihn vollständig in dieser Vidyā, diesem Gebet. O Parīkṣit, danach ging Nārada zusammen mit dem großen Weisen Aṅgirā zur Svāyambhuva-Dhāma, dem Brahmaloka.
When Aṅgirā had first come to visit King Citraketu, he did not bring Nārada with him. However, after the death of Citraketu’s son, Aṅgirā brought Nārada to instruct King Citraketu about bhakti-yoga. The difference was that in the beginning Citraketu was not in a temperament of renunciation, but after the death of his son, when he was overwhelmed by his great plight, he was awakened to the platform of renunciation by instructions regarding the falsity of this material world and material possessions. It is only at this stage that bhakti-yoga can be instructed. As long as one is attached to material enjoyment, bhakti-yoga cannot be understood. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (2.44) :
FAQs
This verse states that Nārada instructed spiritual knowledge specifically to a surrendered devotee (prapanna-bhakta), highlighting surrender and devotion as the proper receptivity for divine instruction.
After delivering the required vidyā to the devotee, Nārada’s role in that moment was complete, so he departed with Aṅgirā to the abode of Svāyambhuva (Brahmā), indicating the conclusion of that phase of guidance.
Approach spiritual learning with humility and commitment—seek authentic guidance, accept instruction sincerely, and align daily choices with devotion and service rather than ego-driven goals.