Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
चित्रकेतुरुवाच एष लोकगुरु: साक्षाद्धर्मं वक्ता शरीरिणाम् । आस्ते मुख्य: सभायां वै मिथुनीभूय भार्यया ॥ ६ ॥
citraketur uvāca eṣa loka-guruḥ sākṣād dharmaṁ vaktā śarīriṇām āste mukhyaḥ sabhāyāṁ vai mithunī-bhūya bhāryayā
チトラケートゥは言った。「この方はまさに世の師、身を受けた衆生にダルマを説く最勝者である。しかるに大聖者たちの会座のただ中で、妃パールヴァティーを抱き寄せて座しておられるとは、なんと不思議なことか。」
FAQs
This verse depicts Shiva as the direct teacher of dharma for embodied beings, honored as a universal guide, even while he displays household life with Parvati.
Citraketu remarks on an apparent contrast—Shiva being the foremost teacher of dharma while openly seated in conjugal intimacy—setting up the narrative lesson about understanding exalted personalities beyond superficial judgment.
Do not assess a saint only by external situations; learn the deeper principle of dharma and the inner purity of great souls before forming criticism.