Shloka 40
Citraketu Offends Śiva, Is Cursed by Pārvatī, and Is Glorified as a Vaiṣṇava
इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं चित्रकेतोर्महात्मन: । माहात्म्यं विष्णुभक्तानां श्रुत्वा बन्धाद्विमुच्यते ॥ ४० ॥
itihāsam imaṁ puṇyaṁ citraketor mahātmanaḥ māhātmyaṁ viṣṇu-bhaktānāṁ śrutvā bandhād vimucyate
นี่คือประวัติอันเป็นบุญของมหาตมะจิตรเกตุ ผู้ใดได้สดับเรื่องนี้พร้อมมหิมาของผู้ภักดีต่อพระวิษณุจากปากของภักตะผู้บริสุทธิ์ ผู้นั้นย่อมหลุดพ้นจากพันธนาการแห่งสังสารวัฏ
The historical incidents in the Purāṇas, such as the history of Citraketu explained in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, are sometimes misunderstood by outsiders, or nondevotees. Therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī advised that the history of Citraketu be heard from a devotee. Anything about devotional service or the characteristics of the Lord and His devotees must be heard from a devotee, not from a professional reciter. This is advised herein. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s secretary also advised that one learn the history of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a devotee: yāha, bhāgavata pada vaiṣṇavera sthāne. One should not hear the statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from professional reciters, or else they will not be effective. Quoting from Padma Purāṇa, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī has strictly forbidden us to hear about the activities of the Lord and His devotees from the mouths of nondevotees:
FAQs
This verse states that simply hearing this purifying history—especially the glory of Viṣṇu’s devotees—frees a person from bondage.
Citraketu’s narrative is presented as a sacred, liberating account that highlights the greatness of Viṣṇu-bhaktas and the transforming power of devotion.
Regularly hear and study Bhagavatam narratives with faith, focusing on the virtues of devotees—cultivating humility and devotion that loosen material attachment.