Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 18

Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa

Devanagari script

इत्थं त्वां पुत्रशोकेन मग्नं तमसि दुस्तरे । अतदर्हमनुस्मृत्य महापुरुषगोचरम् ॥ १८ ॥ अनुग्रहाय भवत: प्राप्तावावामिह प्रभो । ब्रह्मण्यो भगवद्भ‍क्तो नावासादितुमर्हसि ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

itthaṁ tvāṁ putra-śokena magnaṁ tamasi dustare atad-arham anusmṛtya mahāpuruṣa-gocaram

Translation

Ô roi, ainsi, par le chagrin de ton fils, tu t’es englouti dans des ténèbres difficiles à traverser. Nous nous sommes souvenus de la vérité accessible aux mahāpuruṣa et sommes venus tous deux pour te faire grâce. Tu honores les brāhmaṇa et tu es un bhakta du Bhagavān; il ne te sied donc pas de te laisser absorber par la lamentation d’une perte matérielle. Pour ceux qui sont avancés en connaissance spirituelle, les gains et pertes du monde ne doivent pas les troubler.

Synonyms

• इत्थम्: thus
• इत्थम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: 'thus/in this way')

• त्वाम्: you
• त्वाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पुत्र-शोकेन: by grief for (your) son
• पुत्र-शोकेन: Karana (करण/Instrument-cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (पुत्रस्य शोकः)

• मग्नम्: sunk, immersed
• मग्नम्: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मग्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मज्ज् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• तमसि: in darkness
• तमसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• दुस्तरे: hard to cross
• दुस्तरे: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (तमसि)

• अतत्-अर्हम्: improper, unworthy
• अतत्-अर्हम्: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतत् (अव्यय-निषेध/प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (तत् न अर्हम् = not proper)

• अनुस्मृत्य: having remembered
• अनुस्मृत्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): 'having remembered'

• महापुरुष-गोचरम्: within the scope of the Supreme Person
• महापुरुष-गोचरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापुरुष (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पुरुष) + गोचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (महापुरुषस्य गोचरः = within the range of the Great Person)

Purport

Several words in this verse are very important. The word mahā-puruṣa refers to advanced devotees and also to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mahā means “the supreme,” and puruṣa means “person.” One who always engages in the service of the Supreme Lord is called mahā-pauruṣika. Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Mahārāja Parīkṣit are sometimes addressed as mahā-pauruṣika. A devotee should always aspire to engage in the service of advanced devotees. As Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung:

Characters & Entities

• Citraketu
• Nārada
• Aṅgirā
• Mahā-puruṣa (Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming grief for a loved one?

This verse depicts grief as a dark, difficult-to-cross condition (tamasi dustare) and points to remembrance of the Supreme Lord (mahā-puruṣa) and saintly guidance as the path to transcend it.

Why did Nārada and Aṅgirā come to King Citraketu?

They saw Citraketu overwhelmed by sorrow and, remembering the Supreme Lord who is realized by great souls, came specifically to show him mercy and redirect him from lamentation to spiritual understanding.

Practical application: how can I cross 'darkness' (tamas) in modern life?

Seek sādhus and spiritual counsel, and consciously redirect the mind from loss-centered rumination to remembrance of God and higher purpose—replacing tamas with clarity, devotion, and steady practice.