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
جب راجہ چترکیتو روزانہ بچے کو نہایت محبت سے پالتا رہا تو اولاد والی رانی کِرتَدیوتی کے لیے اس کی بے حد محبت بڑھ گئی؛ مگر جن بیویوں کے ہاں اولاد نہ تھی اُن کے لیے ویسا لگاؤ باقی نہ رہا۔
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.