Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.17.13
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRespect Exalted Spiritual Persons
“This Citraketu is the lowest of kṣatriyas, for he has impudently overridden Brahmā and the other demigods by insulting Lord Śiva, upon whose lotus feet they always meditate. Lord Śiva is personified religion and the spiritual master of the entire world, and therefore Citraketu must be punished.”
What the purport teaches
- The assembly included exalted brāhmaṇas and self-realized souls. They said nothing about Lord Śiva embracing Pārvatī on his lap.
- Citraketu nonetheless criticized Lord Śiva. Pārvatī therefore considered that he should be punished.
- Pārvatī described Lord Śiva as personified religion and the spiritual master of the entire world. Even Brahmā and the other demigods meditate upon his lotus feet.
Try this today
Today, pause before voicing a criticism and consider whether you understand the person's conduct.
Ask yourself
Do I pause respectfully before judging the conduct of an exalted spiritual person?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.