Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
एकदा स विमानेन विष्णुदत्तेन भास्वता । गिरिशं ददृशे गच्छन् परीतं सिद्धचारणै: ॥ ४ ॥ आलिङ्गयाङ्कीकृतां देवीं बाहुना मुनिसंसदि । उवाच देव्या: शृण्वन्त्या जहासोच्चैस्तदन्तिके ॥ ५ ॥
ekadā sa vimānena viṣṇu-dattena bhāsvatā giriśaṁ dadṛśe gacchan parītaṁ siddha-cāraṇaiḥ
Einst, als Citraketu auf einem strahlenden, von Viṣṇu geschenkten Vimāna durch den Raum reiste, erblickte er Girīśa (Śiva), umgeben von Siddhas und Cāraṇas. Śiva saß in einer Versammlung großer Weiser, hielt die Göttin Pārvatī auf seinem Schoß und umarmte sie mit dem Arm. Während Pārvatī es hörte, lachte Citraketu laut und sprach in ihrer Nähe.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says in this connection,
In this scene, Citraketu—traveling by Viṣṇu’s gift—sees Śiva embracing Pārvatī publicly among sages and laughs, about to speak. The verse sets up the misunderstanding that leads to Pārvatī’s curse and teaches caution in judging exalted devotees.
It shows that the actions of mahā-puruṣas can appear ordinary yet are transcendental; one should not criticize or mock them, especially in public or without understanding their position.
Avoid quick ridicule or public criticism of saintly persons and spiritual traditions; practice humility, seek context, and speak carefully to prevent offenses that damage one’s spiritual progress.