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
Vì vua Citraketu ngày ngày nâng niu chăm sóc đứa con, tình yêu sâu đậm của ngài đối với hoàng hậu Kṛtadyuti—người có con—càng tăng; còn với các phi tần khác không con, tình cảm ấy dần không còn như trước.
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.