Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

तस्माद्युवां ग्राम्यपशोर्मम मूढधिय: प्रभू । अन्धे तमसि मग्नस्य ज्ञानदीप उदीर्यताम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

tasmād yuvāṁ grāmya-paśor mama mūḍha-dhiyaḥ prabhū andhe tamasi magnasya jñāna-dīpa udīryatām

Translation

അതുകൊണ്ട് ഹേ പ്രഭുക്കളേ, നിങ്ങൾ ഇരുവരും എനിക്ക് യഥാർത്ഥ ജ്ഞാനം നൽകാൻ കഴിവുള്ളവർ. ഞാൻ പന്നി-നായ പോലെയുള്ള ഗ്രാമ്യ മൃഗത്തെപ്പോലെ മൂഢബുദ്ധിയോടെ അജ്ഞാനത്തിന്റെ അന്ധകാരത്തിൽ മുങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു; ദയവായി എന്റെ രക്ഷയ്ക്കായി ജ്ഞാനദീപം തെളിയിക്കൂ.

Synonyms

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात् इति पञ्चमी-एकवचन रूपम्; हेत्वर्थे/तस्मात् (indeclinable-like usage: 'therefore/from that')

• युवाम्: you two
• युवाम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचन, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) (युवाम् = you two)

• ग्राम्य-पशोः: of the domestic animal
• ग्राम्य-पशोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राम्य (प्रातिपदिक) + पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (ग्राम्यः पशुः)

• मम: of me / my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• मूढ-धियः: of (one) whose intellect is deluded
• मूढ-धियः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मूढ (प्रातिपदिक) + धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मूढा धिः यस्य)

• प्रभू: O lords (masters)
• प्रभू: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), द्विवचन

• अन्धे: in blind
• अन्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (तमसि इत्यस्य)

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

• मग्नस्य: of (one) sunk
• मग्नस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मग्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मज्ज् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक-सम्भव, षष्ठी, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle): 'submerged'

• ज्ञान-दीपः: the lamp of knowledge
• ज्ञान-दीपः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (ज्ञानस्य दीपः)

• उदीर्यताम्: let (it) be kindled/raised
• उदीर्यताम्: Vidhi (विधि/Imperative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-ईर् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; विधिलिङ्-भावार्थः: 'let it be raised/kindled'

Purport

This is the way to receive knowledge. One must submit oneself at the lotus feet of great personalities who can actually deliver transcendental knowledge. It is therefore said, tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam: “One who is inquisitive to understand the highest goal and benefit of life must approach a bona fide spiritual master and surrender unto him.” Only one who is actually eager to receive knowledge to eradicate the darkness of ignorance is eligible to approach a guru, or spiritual master. The guru should not be approached for material benefits. One should not approach a guru just to cure some disease or receive some miraculous benefit. This is not the way to approach the guru. Tad-vijñānārtham: one should approach the guru to understand the transcendental science of spiritual life. Unfortunately, in this Age of Kali there are many bogus gurus who display magic to their disciples, and many foolish disciples want to see such magic for material benefits. These disciples are not interested in pursuing spiritual life to save themselves from the darkness of ignorance. It is said:

Characters & Entities

• Citraketu
• Aṅgirā
• Nārada

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming ignorance (tamas)?

This verse teaches that one trapped in blind darkness of ignorance should approach genuine spiritual masters and pray for the awakening of the lamp of knowledge (jñāna-dīpa).

Why did King Citraketu speak this way to Nārada and Aṅgirā?

Citraketu, distressed and spiritually confused, recognizes his worldly-mindedness and humbly surrenders to Nārada and Aṅgirā, requesting enlightened guidance.

Practical application of 'jñāna-dīpa' (lamp of knowledge) in modern life?

Admit one’s confusion, seek guidance from authentic teachers and scripture, and cultivate disciplined hearing and reflection so knowledge replaces habitual materialistic thinking.