Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.17.4-5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Mercy Behind a Curse
“One time while King Citraketu was traveling in outer space on a brilliantly effulgent airplane given to him by Lord Viṣṇu, he saw Lord Śiva, surrounded by Siddhas and Cāraṇas. Lord Śiva was sitting in an assembly of great saintly persons and embracing Pārvatī on his lap with his arm. Citraketu laughed loudly and spoke, within the hearing of Pārvatī.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead wanted to bring Citraketu to Vaikuṇṭhaloka as soon as possible.
- The Lord’s plan was that Pārvatī would curse Citraketu to become Vṛtrāsura, allowing him to return home, back to Godhead, in his next life.
- Lord Śiva’s embrace of Pārvatī was natural between husband and wife, and Citraketu should not have laughed. Yet the resulting curse became the cause of his returning to Godhead.
Try this today
Spend one minute reflecting on the Lord’s wish to bring Citraketu back to Godhead.
Ask yourself
How does this account show that the Lord’s mercy can work through an unwelcome event?
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.