Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 34
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
तस्य चायं महाभागश्चित्रकेतु: प्रियोऽनुग: । सर्वत्र समदृक् शान्तो ह्यहं चैवाच्युतप्रिय: ॥ ३४ ॥ तस्मान्न विस्मय: कार्य: पुरुषेषु महात्मसु । महापुरुषभक्तेषु शान्तेषु समदर्शिषु ॥ ३५ ॥
tasya cāyaṁ mahā-bhāgaś citraketuḥ priyo ’nugaḥ sarvatra sama-dṛk śānto hy ahaṁ caivācyuta-priyaḥ
This greatly fortunate Citraketu is a dear, faithful devotee of the Lord; he is peaceful and sees all beings equally. In the same way, I too am very dear to Acyuta (Nārāyaṇa). Therefore one should not be astonished at the deeds of the mahātmās, the supreme devotees of Nārāyaṇa: free from attachment and envy, they are ever serene and equal toward all.
It is said, vaiṣṇavera kriyā, mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya: one should not be astonished to see the activities of exalted, liberated Vaiṣṇavas. As one should not be misled by the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should also not be misled by the activities of His devotees. Both the Lord and His devotees are liberated. They are on the same platform, the only difference being that the Lord is the master and the devotees are servants. Qualitatively, they are one and the same. In Bhagavad-gītā (9.29) the Lord says:
FAQs
This verse highlights a devotee as sama-dṛk (equal-minded), śānta (peaceful), and especially dear to the Lord (Acyuta-priya).
Lord Śiva identifies Citraketu as a dear devotee—peaceful and equal in vision—and thus worthy of honor rather than criticism.
By cultivating calmness and seeing others without envy or bias—measuring people by devotion and character rather than status.