Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 38
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
जज्ञे त्वष्टुर्दक्षिणाग्नौ दानवीं योनिमाश्रित: । वृत्र इत्यभिविख्यातो ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुत: ॥ ३८ ॥
jajñe tvaṣṭur dakṣiṇāgnau dānavīṁ yonim āśritaḥ vṛtra ity abhivikhyāto jñāna-vijñāna-saṁyutaḥ
Being cursed by mother Durgā [Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva], that same Citraketu accepted birth in a demoniac species of life. Although still fully equipped with transcendental knowledge and practical application of that knowledge in life, he appeared as a demon at the fire sacrifice performed by Tvaṣṭā, and thus he became famous as Vṛtrāsura.
The word yoni is generally understood to mean jāti — family, group or species. Although Vṛtrāsura appeared in a family of demons, it is clearly said that his knowledge of spiritual life still existed. Jñāna-vijñāna-saṁyutaḥ: his spiritual knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge in life were not lost. Therefore it is said that even if a devotee falls down for some reason, he is still not lost.
FAQs
This verse states that Vṛtra was born from Tvaṣṭā’s southern sacrificial fire and took birth in the Dānava lineage, yet he was endowed with both knowledge and realized wisdom.
The Bhagavatam highlights that spiritual realization is not limited by external birth; Vṛtra’s inner attainment (jñāna-vijñāna) is emphasized even though he appeared in a demonic lineage.
Move beyond information to transformation: study sacred teachings (jñāna) and apply them through consistent practice and sincerity until they become lived realization (vijñāna).