Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 38
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
चित्रकेतोरतिप्रीतिर्यथा दारे प्रजावति । न तथान्येषु सञ्जज्ञे बालं लालयतोऽन्वहम् ॥ ३८ ॥
citraketor atiprītir yathā dāre prajāvati na tathānyeṣu sañjajñe bālaṁ lālayato ’nvaham
जैसे-जैसे राजा चित्रकेतु पुत्र का प्रतिदिन लालन-पालन करता गया, वैसे-वैसे उसकी अतिप्रीति प्रजावती रानी कृतद्युतिः में बढ़ी; परन्तु जिन रानियों के पुत्र न थे, उनमें वैसा स्नेह न रहा।
FAQs
This verse shows how intense attachment to a child can eclipse one’s affection for others, creating partiality and setting the stage for future distress—highlighting the Bhagavatam’s warning about worldly attachment.
Because that queen bore him a son, and Citraketu became absorbed in daily affection for the child; this naturally shifted his attention and affection away from the other queens.
Love and care for family are natural, but this verse advises awareness: avoid favoritism and over-attachment that blinds judgment, and cultivate steadiness by grounding affection in dharma and spiritual values.