Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 25

Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इति प्रसाद्य गिरिशौ चित्रकेतुररिन्दम । जगाम स्वविमानेन पश्यतो: स्मयतोस्तयो: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca iti prasādya giriśau citraketur arindama jagāma sva-vimānena paśyatoḥ smayatos tayoḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva said: O Parīkṣit, subduer of foes, after pleasing Girīśa (Śiva) and Pārvatī, Citraketu boarded his vimāna and departed; seeing his fearlessness even after the curse, they smiled in wonder.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (honorific prefix): ‘श्रीमान् शुकः’

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• prasādya: having appeased
• prasādya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√sad (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) ‘प्रसाद्य’ = having propitiated; परस्मैपदी-क्त्वा

• giriśau: the two Giriśas (Śiva and Pārvatī)
• giriśau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giriśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन

• citraketuḥ: Citraketu
• citraketuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citraketu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• arindama: O subduer of enemies
• arindama: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arindama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; (epithet used in narration)

• jagāma: went
• jagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• sva-vimānena: by his own vimāna
• sva-vimānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva + vimāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘स्वं विमानेन’ = by his own aerial car

• paśyatoḥ: of the two who were watching
• paśyatoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: paśyat (प्रातिपदिक; √paś participle)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; ‘of the two who were seeing’

• smayatoḥ: of the two who were smiling
• smayatoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smayat (प्रातिपदिक; √smi participle)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; ‘of the two who were smiling’

• tayoḥ: of them (the two)
• tayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; सर्वनाम

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Citraketu
• Lord Śiva (Giriśa)
• Goddess Pārvatī (Umā)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pleasing Lord Shiva and Parvati?

This verse shows Citraketu respectfully pacifying and pleasing Lord Śiva and Pārvatī, after which he departs peacefully—highlighting proper devotee conduct toward exalted devas and devotees.

Why did Citraketu leave in his vimana while Shiva and Parvati smiled?

After the situation was resolved and the divine couple was pleased, Citraketu departed without further conflict; their smiling indicates acceptance, calm, and a harmonious conclusion to the encounter.

Practical application of humility and reconciliation in modern life?

When misunderstandings arise, sincerely clarify, seek goodwill, and restore respect—then move forward without resentment, as Citraketu does after pleasing the offended parties.