Srimad Bhagavatham - Chitraketu's Joy and Sorrow
Chitraketu was a king of Surasena country (a place near Mathura). He ruled the entire globe. The earth yielded everything he sought after. He had many wives but had no progeny. This was a major source of sorrow for him.
Once Sage Angira visited Chitraketu to educate him on Self-knowledge Chitraketu offered due respect to the Sage. The Sage questions his well-being and that of his ministers, wives, and children. Chitraketu says everything is fine except for a strong desire to have a son.
Sage Angira understood that the time was not ripe for Chitraketu to take on self-knowledge. Under his guidance, a yagna was performed. Chitraketu's throne queen was offered a fruit.
In due course, she conceived and at the designated time gave birth to a male child. Sage Angira subtly advises King Chitraketu to be cautious which the king ignores.
Chitraketu and his throne queen were very fond of their child. In due course, the King neglected his other wives.
Being neglected by the king, these wives were dejected and gradually developed a deep sense of sorrow, which later converted into jealousy.
Upon analysing the root cause of their sorrow, these barren wives poisoned the child. The child died, and when the news spread, there was commotion. The sorrow of the queen and the king was unbearable. The administration came to a standstill.
Sage Angira and Sage Narada visited them disguised as Brahmins. The ministers and the king welcomed them with due honours. Sage Angira asked the King the reason for the sorrow, though he was fully aware of the situation.
Sage Angira asked the king how the dead child was related to you. Though it looked awkward, no one could understand the real reason behind it. Promptly, the ministers answered that the child was the king's only son, his progeny.
Sage Angira spoke - In what relation did the boy whom you are lamenting stand in previous birth, at present birth or will be in future births?
Pebbles, along the riverside, get separated due to floods and again join together somewhere later by the spirit of time. Likewise, the embodied beings are brought together and parted by Time.
The body of one embodied being (son) evolved from another embodied being (mother), united with the body of a third embodied being (father) just as one seed sprang up from another seed. The soul inhabiting all these bodies is eternal.
The king, having heard those words rich in wisdom, asked them to reveal their identity.
Sage Angira and Sage Narada revealed their true form and the purpose of their visit.
Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana
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