Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 15
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
अत: पापीयसीं योनिमासुरीं याहि दुर्मते । यथेह भूयो महतां न कर्ता पुत्र किल्बिषम् ॥ १५ ॥
ataḥ pāpīyasīṁ yonim āsurīṁ yāhi durmate yatheha bhūyo mahatāṁ na kartā putra kilbiṣam
ああ、厚かましい者よ、私の息子よ。卑しく罪深い悪魔の家系に生まれ変わりなさい。そうすれば、二度と高貴な聖者たちに対してそのような罪を犯すことはないでしょう。
One should be very careful not to commit offenses at the lotus feet of Vaiṣṇavas, of whom Lord Śiva is the best. While instructing Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu described an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava as hātī mātā, a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a nice garden, it spoils the entire garden. Similarly, if one becomes like a mad elephant and commits offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava, his entire spiritual career is halted. One should therefore be very careful not to commit offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.
FAQs
This verse warns that offending exalted personalities leads to severe karmic consequence—demoniac birth—meant to reform one so the offense is not repeated.
In the narrative, Citraketu’s words were taken as disrespectful in the presence of Lord Śiva; Pārvatī, feeling protective of Śiva’s honor, pronounced a curse to correct that impropriety.
Be careful with speech and judgment toward saints, teachers, and sincere devotees; humility and restraint prevent harmful criticism that can damage one’s spiritual progress.