Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.17.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Forgiveness Without Demanding Relief
“O mother, you are now unnecessarily angry, but since all my happiness and distress are destined by my past activities, I do not plead to be excused or relieved from your curse. Although what I have said is not wrong, please let whatever you think is wrong be pardoned.”
What the purport teaches
- Citraketu understood that the results of karma come through the laws of nature. He therefore did not ask to be released from Pārvatī’s curse.
- Although he did not consider his words wrong, he recognized that Pārvatī was displeased and wanted to satisfy her.
- Mahārāja Citraketu begged pardon from Pārvatī. His request was for forgiveness, not escape from the curse.
Try this today
If your words have displeased someone, offer a simple apology without demanding anything in return.
Ask yourself
Can I seek forgiveness for displeasing someone without insisting that I was right?
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.