Shloka 7
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
जटाधरस्तीव्रतपा ब्रह्मवादिसभापति: । अङ्कीकृत्य स्त्रियं चास्ते गतह्री: प्राकृतो यथा ॥ ७ ॥
jaṭā-dharas tīvra-tapā brahmavādi-sabhā-patiḥ aṅkīkṛtya striyaṁ cāste gata-hrīḥ prākṛto yathā
Herr Śiva, mit verfilzten Haaren, hat gewiss strenge Askesen vollzogen und ist Vorsitzender der Versammlung der Brahmavādīs. Dennoch sitzt er unter den Heiligen, die Gattin auf dem Schoß, sie umarmend wie ein schamloser gewöhnlicher Mensch.
Citraketu appreciated the exalted position of Lord Śiva, and therefore he remarked at how wonderful it was that Lord Śiva was acting like an ordinary human being. He appreciated Lord Śiva’s position, but when he saw Lord Śiva sitting in the midst of saintly persons and acting like a shameless, ordinary man, he was astonished. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura remarks that although Citraketu criticized Lord Śiva, he did not offend Lord Śiva like Dakṣa. Dakṣa considered Lord Śiva insignificant, but Citraketu expressed his wonder at Lord Śiva’s being situated in that way.
FAQs
This verse describes how Lord Śiva—though an exalted ascetic and leader among spiritual authorities—sat with Pārvatī on his lap in an assembly, an appearance that could be misunderstood by onlookers.
The wording highlights the contrast between Śiva’s supreme renunciation and the external scene; it sets the narrative context for how Citraketu’s remark arose and how misunderstanding can occur when judging great souls by externals.
Do not judge spiritual persons—or any situation—only by outward appearances; cultivate humility, careful speech, and avoid quick criticism that can lead to offense and regret.