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
Hỡi kẻ xấc xược, con trai ta, giờ hãy đầu thai vào một gia đình quỷ dữ thấp hèn, tội lỗi để con không còn phạm phải tội lỗi như vậy đối với các bậc thánh nhân cao quý nữa.
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.