SB 6.13.23 · Srimad-Bhagavatam

Devanagari

इदं महाख्यानमशेषपाप्मनांप्रक्षालनं तीर्थपदानुकीर्तनम् भक्त्युच्छ्रयं भक्तजनानुवर्णनंमहेन्द्रमोक्षं विजयं मरुत्वत: ॥ २२ ॥ पठेयुराख्यानमिदं सदा बुधा:श‍ृण्वन्त्यथो पर्वणि पर्वणीन्द्रियम् धन्यं यशस्यं निखिलाघमोचनंरिपुञ्जयं स्वस्त्ययनं तथायुषम् ॥ २३ ॥

Verse text

idaṁ mahākhyānam aśeṣa-pāpmanāṁ prakṣālanaṁ tīrthapadānukīrtanam bhakty-ucchrayaṁ bhakta-janānuvarṇanaṁ mahendra-mokṣaṁ vijayaṁ marutvataḥ paṭheyur ākhyānam idaṁ sadā budhāḥ śṛṇvanty atho parvaṇi parvaṇīndriyam dhanyaṁ yaśasyaṁ nikhilāgha-mocanaṁ ripuṣjayaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ tathāyuṣam

Synonyms

idam — this ; mahā — ākhyānam — great historical incident ; aśeṣa — pāpmanām — of unlimited numbers of sinful acts ; prakṣālanam — cleansing ; tīrthapada — anukīrtanam — glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Tīrthapada ; bhakti — of devotional service ; ucchrayam — in which there is an increase ; bhakta — jana — the devotees ; anuvarṇanam — describing ; mahā — indra — mokṣam — the liberation of the King of heaven ; vijayam — the victory ; marutvataḥ — of King Indra ; paṭheyuḥ — should read ; ākhyānam — narration ; idam — this ; sadā — always ; budhāḥ — learned scholars ; śṛṇvanti — continue to hear ; atho — as well ; parvaṇi parvaṇi — on the occasion of great festivals ; indriyam — which makes the senses sharp ; dhanyam — brings wealth ; yaśasyam — brings fame ; nikhila — all ; agha — mocanam — releasing from sins ; ripum — jayam — makes one victorious over his enemies ; svasti — ayanam — brings good fortune for all ; tathā — so also ; āyuṣam — longevity .

Translation

In this very great narrative there is glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, there are statements about the exaltedness of devotional service, there are descriptions of devotees like Indra and Vṛtrāsura, and there are statements about King Indra’s release from sinful life and about his victory in fighting the demons. By understanding this incident, one is relieved of all sinful reactions. Therefore the learned are always advised to read this narration. If one does so, one will become expert in the activities of the senses, his opulence will increase, and his reputation will become widespread. One will also be relieved of all sinful reactions, he will conquer all his enemies, and the duration of his life will increase. Because this narration is auspicious in all respects, learned scholars regularly hear and repeat it on every festival day.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Intelligent persons should read this great narration about the purification and victory of Indra, which destroys all sins and glorifies the Supreme Lord, bhakti, and the devotees. On sacred days they should hear this narration which brings alert senses, wealth, fame, freedom from all sins, victory, good fortune and long life. Bhakty-ucchrayam means “endowed with the excellence of bhakti.” The story describes the victory of Indra (marutvataḥ). Indriyam means “quickness of the sense.” Āyuṣam means “giving long life.” Thus ends the commentary on the Thirteenth Chapter of the Sixth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Fourteen The Story of Citraketu 6.14: King Citraketu's Lamentation 14. King Citraketu's Lamentation 6.14 Summary In this Fourteenth Chapter, Parīkṣit Mahārāja asks his spiritual master, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, how such a demon as Vṛtrāsura could become an exalted devotee. In this connection the previous life of Vṛtrāsura is discussed. This involves the story of Citraketu and how he was victimized by lamentation because of the death of his son. Among many millions of living entities, the number of human beings is extremely small, and among human beings who are actually religious, only some are eager to be liberated from material existence. Among many thousands of people who desire relief from material existence, one is freed from the association of unwanted persons or is relieved of material contamination. And among many millions of such liberated persons, one may become a devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Therefore such devotees are extremely rare. Since bhakti, devotional service, is not ordinary, Parīkṣit Mahārāja was astonished that an asura could rise to the exalted position of a devotee. Being doubtful, Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who then described Vṛtrāsura with reference to his previous birth as Citraketu, the King of Śūrasena. Citraketu, who had no sons, got an opportunity to meet the great sage Aṅgirā. When Aṅgirā inquired from the King about his welfare, the King expressed his moroseness, and therefore by the grace of the great sage, the King's first wife, Kṛtadyuti, gave birth to a son, who was the cause of both happiness and lamentation. Upon the birth of this son, the King and all the residents of the palace were very happy. The co-wives of Kṛtadyuti, however, were envious, and later they administered poison to the child. Citraketu was overwhelmed by shock at his son's death. Then Nārada Muni and Aṅgirā went to see him.

Purport

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Sixth Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction.”