Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 46
Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva
विदितमनन्त समस्तं तव जगदात्मनो जनैरिहाचरितम् । विज्ञाप्यं परमगुरो: कियदिव सवितुरिव खद्योतै: ॥ ४६ ॥
viditam ananta samastaṁ tava jagad-ātmano janair ihācaritam vijñāpyaṁ parama-guroḥ kiyad iva savitur iva khadyotaiḥ
O unlimited Bhagavān, Soul of the universe, all that living beings do in this world is already known to You, for You are the Supersoul. O supreme Guru, before the sun what can a glowworm’s light reveal? In Your all-knowing presence, I have nothing to make known.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Lord already knows everything; therefore, a devotee approaches Him with humility, recognizing that one’s words cannot increase God’s knowledge—like glowworms before the sun.
While offering prayers, Citraketu acknowledges Vishnu as the all-knowing Soul of the universe and admits the limitation of human speech, establishing a mood of surrender rather than pride in eloquence.
Speak truthfully and modestly before God and elders—focus on sincerity and surrender, not on impressing with words—remembering that real transformation comes from devotion and obedience, not rhetoric.