Shloka 24

Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava

Devanagari script

अथ प्रसादये न त्वां शापमोक्षाय भामिनि । यन्मन्यसे ह्यसाधूक्तं मम तत्क्षम्यतां सति ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

atha prasādaye na tvāṁ śāpa-mokṣāya bhāmini yan manyase hy asādhūktaṁ mama tat kṣamyatāṁ sati

Translation

โอ้แม่ผู้กริ้ว ข้าพเจ้าไม่ได้มาขอให้ท่านโปรดเพื่อพ้นคำสาป โอ้สตี หากถ้อยคำใดของข้าพเจ้าที่ท่านเห็นว่าไม่สมควร ขอได้โปรดยกโทษให้

Synonyms

• atha: then; now
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/आरम्भार्थक-अव्यय (then/now)

• prasādaye: I propitiate; I appease
• prasādaye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√sad (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; causative sense ‘to propitiate/please’ (प्रसादयति)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• śāpa-mokṣāya: for release from the curse
• śāpa-mokṣāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/for the purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāpa + mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (determinative): ‘शापस्य मोक्षः’ = release from curse

• bhāmini: O passionate/angry lady
• bhāmini: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāminī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• yat: that which
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• manyase: you think; you consider
• manyase: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• hi: indeed; for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: emphasis/causal nuance)

• asādhu-uktam: improperly spoken (words)
• asādhu-uktam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asādhu + ukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘असाधु उक्तम्’ = improper speech

• mama: of me; by me
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• tat: that
• tat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• kṣamyatām: let it be forgiven
• kṣamyatām: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṣam (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि प्रयोगः: ‘let it be forgiven’

• sati: O virtuous one
• sati: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; ‘सती’ = virtuous lady

Purport

Being fully aware of how the results of one’s karma accrue by the laws of nature, Citraketu did not want to be released from Pārvatī’s curse. Nonetheless, he wanted to satisfy her because although his verdict was natural, she was displeased with him. As a matter of course, Mahārāja Citraketu begged pardon from Pārvatī.

Characters & Entities

• Pārvatī (Satī)
• Citraketu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about forgiveness and humility?

This verse shows a devotee’s humility: Citraketu does not beg for relief from a curse, yet he respectfully asks forgiveness if his words were taken as improper.

Why did Citraketu speak this way to Pārvatī?

After Pārvatī became displeased and cursed him, Citraketu clarified he was not trying to escape consequences; he only wished to maintain respect and harmony by seeking pardon for any offense.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Accept outcomes without manipulation, but promptly apologize for unintended hurt—prioritizing character, respect, and inner devotion over self-protection.