Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 17
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
चित्रकेतुरुवाच प्रतिगृह्णामि ते शापमात्मनोऽञ्जलिनाम्बिके । देवैर्मर्त्याय यत्प्रोक्तं पूर्वदिष्टं हि तस्य तत् ॥ १७ ॥
citraketur uvāca pratigṛhṇāmi te śāpam ātmano ’ñjalināmbike devair martyāya yat proktaṁ pūrva-diṣṭaṁ hi tasya tat
ចិត្រកេតុបាននិយាយថា—ឱ មាតា អំបិកា! ខ្ញុំប្រណមដៃទទួលយកបណ្តាសានេះ; ព្រោះអ្វីដែលទេវតាកំណត់សម្រាប់មនុស្ស គឺស្របតាមកម្មពីមុនដែលបានកំណត់រួច។
Since Citraketu was a devotee of the Lord, he was not at all disturbed by the curse of mother Pārvatī. He knew very well that one suffers or enjoys the results of one’s past deeds as ordained by daiva-netra — superior authority, or the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He knew that he had not committed any offense at the lotus feet of Lord Śiva or the goddess Pārvatī, yet he had been punished, and this means that the punishment had been ordained. Thus the King did not mind it. A devotee is naturally so humble and meek that he accepts any condition of life as a blessing from the Lord. Tat te ’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇaḥ ( Bhāg. 10.14.8 ). A devotee always accepts punishment from anyone as the mercy of the Lord. If one lives in this conception of life, he sees whatever reverses occur to be due to his past misdeeds, and therefore he never accuses anyone. On the contrary, he becomes increasingly attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead because of his being purified by his suffering. Suffering, therefore, is also a process of purification.
FAQs
This verse shows Citraketu accepting the curse respectfully, seeing it as part of what is already ordained, reflecting a devotee’s tolerance and surrender to divine arrangement.
After being cursed by the Goddess, Citraketu responds without resentment, offering folded hands and accepting the consequence, demonstrating humility and spiritual maturity.
When criticized or facing setbacks, respond without bitterness, accept responsibility and fate calmly, and continue one’s dharmic and devotional practice with steadiness.