Shloka 10
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
इत्यतद्वीर्यविदुषि ब्रुवाणे बह्वशोभनम् । रुषाह देवी धृष्टाय निर्जितात्माभिमानिने ॥ १० ॥
ity atad-vīrya-viduṣi bruvāṇe bahv-aśobhanam ruṣāha devī dhṛṣṭāya nirjitātmābhimānine
Ignorant la puissance de Śiva et de Pārvatī, Citraketu les blâma vivement par des paroles fort peu convenables. Aussi la déesse Pārvatī, saisie de colère, s’adressa ainsi à Citraketu, l’audacieux qui se croyait supérieur à Śiva dans la maîtrise des sens.
Although Citraketu never meant to insult Lord Śiva, he should not have criticized the lord, even though the lord was transgressing social customs. It is said, tejīyasāṁ na doṣāya: one who is very powerful should be understood to be faultless. For example, one should not find faults with the sun, although it evaporates urine from the street. The most powerful cannot be criticized by an ordinary man, or even by a great personality. Citraketu should have known that Lord Śiva, although sitting in that way, was not to be criticized. The difficulty was that Citraketu, having become a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu, Saṅkarṣaṇa, was somewhat proud at having achieved Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s favor and therefore thought that he could now criticize anyone, even Lord Śiva. This kind of pride in a devotee is never tolerated. A Vaiṣṇava should always remain very humble and meek and offer respect to others.
FAQs
This verse highlights that speaking disgracefully to a truly great soul is a serious fault rooted in unconquered pride, and it provokes strong moral and spiritual reaction—here, Satī’s anger—because such insults are offensive and destructive to dharma.
Because Dakṣa spoke many unbecoming, insulting words toward Lord Śiva, who is described here as a true knower of valor; Satī could not tolerate the blasphemy of her husband and reacted with anger.
Control ego before speaking: avoid harsh criticism of saintly people, teachers, or sincere practitioners; cultivate humility and self-mastery so words don’t become instruments of pride and offense.