Chitraketu Cursed

Chapter 17

Along with seeing the Lord, Chitraketu was also benedicted with rulership over the Vidyadhara planet. As he enjoyed in that realm, travelling from place-to-place, he once encountered Lord Siva publicly embracing Parvati, surrounded by an august assembly of Siddhas, Caranas and great sages.

Chitraketu was astonished by the sight and laughed loudly, much to the disapproval of Parvati. There was no offensive intention since Chitraketu was simply exhibiting his amazement at Lord Siva’s aloofness. Nevertheless, Parvati, entirely unimpressed by his reaction, cursed him to become a demon. Chitraketu humbly accepted it without protest. Devotees, Siva said, never fear any condition of life – heaven, hell or liberation are all the same, since their only aspiration is to serve the Lord.

Chitraketu thus became the ‘demon’ Vritrasura in his next life.