Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 14

Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava

Devanagari script

नायमर्हति वैकुण्ठपादमूलोपसर्पणम् । सम्भावितमति: स्तब्ध: साधुभि: पर्युपासितम् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

nāyam arhati vaikuṇṭha- pāda-mūlopasarpaṇam sambhāvita-matiḥ stabdhaḥ sādhubhiḥ paryupāsitam

Translation

Ang taong ito ay mayabang dahil sa kanyang mga nagawa. Hindi siya karapat-dapat na lumapit sa paanan ng lotus ni Lord Vishnu, na sinasamba ng lahat ng mga banal na tao.

Synonyms

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• अयम्: this (person)
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अर्हति: is worthy / deserves
• अर्हति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वैकुण्ठपादमूलोपसर्पणम्: approaching the root of Vaikuṇṭha’s feet
• वैकुण्ठपादमूलोपसर्पणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैकुण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक) + उपसर्पण (प्रातिपदिक; उप+सृप् + ल्युट्)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (वैकुण्ठस्य पादमूलस्य उपसर्पणम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सम्भावितमतिः: one whose mind is self-conceited / puffed up
• सम्भावितमतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + भावित (कृदन्त; भू + णिच् + क्त) + मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि (सम्भाविता मतिः यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying अयम्)

• स्तब्धः: arrogant / stiff
• स्तब्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्तब्ध (प्रातिपदिक; स्तम्भ्/स्तभ् + क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• साधुभिः: by the saints
• साधुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; करण/सहकारक

• पर्युपासितम्: attended / worshipped
• पर्युपासितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि + उप + आस् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying उपसर्पणम्: ‘(place) attended’)

Purport

If a devotee thinks that he is very much advanced in devotional service, he is considered puffed up and unfit to sit beneath the shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet. Again, this instruction by Lord Caitanya is applicable:

Characters & Entities

• Vaikuṇṭha (Lord Viṣṇu)
• Lord Śiva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride blocking devotion to Lord Vishnu?

This verse states that one who is stiff with arrogance and seeks honor from saints is not qualified to approach the lotus feet of Lord Vaikuṇṭha.

Why did Lord Shiva say someone is unfit to approach Vaikuntha’s lotus feet?

Because the person’s mentality is inflated with self-importance and he expects saintly devotees to serve him—an attitude opposed to genuine bhakti and proper conduct toward sādhus.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Practice humility: seek to serve devotees and teachers rather than demanding respect, and watch for subtle pride that turns spirituality into a quest for status.