King Citraketu's Lament and the Visit of the Sages
King Citraketu ruled a prosperous kingdom yet remained childless, a sorrow that overshadowed his wealth and power. Despite multiple marriages and countless rituals, no heir appeared. His longing grew into consuming grief, illustrating how unfulfilled desire can eclipse all other successes.
Moved by his sincerity, the sages Angira and Narada visited. They offered a benediction: a son would be born, but the gift would carry a test. When the long-awaited child arrived, joy flooded the palace, yet jealousy arose among co-wives, who feared displacement. The son's unexpected death shattered Citraketu's happiness, plunging him into despair deeper than before.
Angira and Narada returned to the grief-stricken court, challenging Citraketu to reconsider the nature of possession and loss. They temporarily revived the child, who spoke profound truths: he claimed no fixed father or mother, only temporary bonds across lifetimes. His words exposed the illusion of absolute ownership and pointed toward the soul's journey beyond a single birth.
Confronted with this perspective, Citraketu's grief transformed into inquiry. He began to seek knowledge that transcended temporary relationships, setting the stage for a deeper encounter with divine wisdom. The sages prepared him to receive instructions that would reorient his life from worldly lamentation to spiritual vision.