Balm for the Soul

Discussions: Mundane and Divine

In the forest of Naimisharanya, Suta had been speaking at great length about the curse of the dying king Pariksita and the boy sage Shukadeva, who spoke soul-soothing words of comfort. And as he told the story, he did not tire. All heard carefully. That great sage, disciple of Vyāsa who had already narrated the entire Mahābhārata continued:

“Śrī Shukadev said: ‘O King. Maharaj Parīkṣit, as you have inquired from me as to the duty of the intelligent man who is on the threshold of death, so I have answered you. There are different classes of men at different stages of development in terms of their consciousness.

There is gradation everywhere. Some want material success, others want salvation, still others think of liberation in terms of becoming one with the absolute. There are many different so-called religious practices one may perform for different results. You will find different recommendations in different scriptures. They all attain their different results according to their religious practice. And yet, a person who has reached a higher level of consciousness may achieve whatever he wants through bhakti-yoga, by dedicating himself to the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

अकामः सर्वकामो वा मोक्षकाम उदारधीः

तीव्रेण भक्तियोगेन यजेत पुरुषं परम्

akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā mokṣa-kāma udāra-dhīḥ

tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena yajeta puruṣaṁ param SB 2.3.10)

“’The best religious practice therefore, is that of divine love.

एतावान् एव यजताम् इह निःश्रेयसोदयः

भगवत्य् अचलो भावो यद् भागवतसङ्गतः

etāvān eva yajatām iha niḥśreyasodayaḥ

bhagavaty acalo bhāvo yad bhāgavata-saṅgataḥ

“’Leaving aside questions about which religious practice is best, think of the value of being in the company of great souls. In fact, the association of a saintly devotee, a true bhāgavata, awards all benediction on all kinds of worshipers. In fact, all different religious worshipers can attain the highest benediction of divine love simply by keeping company with a pure devotee of the Lord. (2.3.11)

ज्ञानं यद् आप्रतिनिवृत्तगुणोर्मिचक्रम्

आत्मप्रसाद उत यत्र गुणेष्व् असङ्गः

कैवल्यसम्मतपथस् त्व् अथ भक्तियोगः

को निर्वृतो हरिकथासु रतिं न कुर्यात्

jñānaṁ yad āpratinivṛtta-guṇormi-cakram ātma-prasāda uta yatra guṇeṣv asaṅgaḥ kaivalya-sammata-pathas tv atha bhakti-yogaḥ ko nirvṛto hari-kathāsu ratiṁ na kuryāt

(SB 2.3.12)

“’All these questions are interesting, but we want real knowledge, which benefits all religious faiths.

“’Who could fail to be attracted by real knowledge?’ said Shukadeva. ‘Transcendental knowledge means ending the waves and whirlpools of the world of misconception. Transcendental knowledge means pure consciousness in relation with the Supreme Lord Hari. Saints and sages consider this knowledge as true self-realization, free from material attachment. ‘“

Suta Goswāmi paused. The story of Śukadeva and Parīkṣita held all the sages who heard it in rapt attention. Astonished, they sat quietly and listened as Suta recalled that great conversation. Here was indeed satisfying balm for the soul.

After a time, the sun moved lower in the heavens. The saints gathered there reflected on the words of Śukadeva. Their leader, who had been chosen for his sagacity, cleared his throat.

Śaunaka said, “O vastly learned Suta. Vyasa’s son was a highly learned sage and poet. What further questions did that king have after hearing all that he had said? We know you are only beginning. Please continue. We are all eager to hear more. This assembly is pleased by your discourse. Transcendentalists everywhere appreciate hearing about Lord Hari. We have heard of Parīkṣit, the grandson of the Pandavas. That great king was a krishna-bhakta from childhood.”

As Śaunaka spoke, he became more animated. He said, “Even as a boy the young prince would imitate the worship of Krishna, at play with dolls. While Śukadeva the son of Vyāsadeva, was not only full in wisdom but also a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva.

“You can’t stop with these simple ideas about worship, as profound as they may be. We want to hear more. In their conversation there must have a deeper discussion of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is glorified by great philosophers and in the company of great devotees.

“Your discourse is highly auspicious. We want to hear more.

“O Suta, this is true conversation, for it enlivens the soul.

“There are so many mundane subjects for conversation, but here we can hear the truth. Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except for one such as your good self, who spends his time by teaching the stories of Bhagavan Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

“Some might call ordinary life living; but even trees live, don’t they?

“As for breath, the blacksmith’s bellows breathe. The birds and beasts eat, sleep, mate, and defend themselves. What distinguishes human life, if not the ability to contemplate the divine?

Śaunaka became more excited. His eyes twinkled and gleamed with delight. “I would go so far as to say that those men who never listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the deliverer from evils are like dogs, hogs, camels and asses! One who has not listened to the amazing deeds of Śrī Kṛṣṇa the Personality of Godhead, one who never sings the glories of the Lord has earholes like the holes of snakes!”

“Why, his tongue is the tongue of a frog who croaks to call the snakes of death closer. His finely turbaned head is a hat-rack only, if not bowed down before the Lord. And his hands, may have fine bracelets but they are like the hands of a corpse if used in the service of the Personality of Godhead Hari.”

The sages nodded their heads in agreement. They were hungry to hear more. Śaunaka said, “Why, my dear Suta, eyes that never see His holy form are like the eyes on peacock feathers and legs that never visit holy places are mere tree trunks.” The sages smiled.

Śaunaka said, “One who has never taken dust of a devotee’s feet on his head, or has never savored the aroma of a tulasī leaf is dead while breathing.”

Śaunaka stood up and looked around him, casting his glance on the assembly as if to see who there might dare disagree with his empassioned words. “Stone-hearted are they whose hearts are not moved in ecstasy when chanting the holy name of the God: Hare Krishna!” The devotees there smiled.

“O Sūta Gosvāmī, your words are pleasing to our minds. Recite the holy Bhāgavata to us just as it was spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. This is my humble request, speaking on behalf of all the great saints gathered here.”

Suta Goswāmī bowed his head before the assembly. He was humbled by the praise of the learned Śaunaka. He concentrated deeply and did his best to remember the divine conversation between Śukadeva and the King.