Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 33
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
श्रीसूत उवाच परीक्षितैवं स तु बादरायणि: प्रायोपविष्टेन कथासु चोदित: । उवाच विप्रा: प्रतिनन्द्य पार्थिवं मुदा मुनीनां सदसि स्म शृण्वताम् ॥ ३३ ॥
śrī-sūta uvāca parīkṣitaivaṁ sa tu bādarāyaṇiḥ prāyopaviṣṭena kathāsu coditaḥ uvāca viprāḥ pratinandya pārthivaṁ mudā munīnāṁ sadasi sma śṛṇvatām
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: O brāhmaṇas, when Parīkṣit Mahārāja, who was awaiting impending death, thus requested Śukadeva Gosvāmī to speak, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, encouraged by the King’s words, offered respect to the King and spoke with great pleasure in the assembly of sages, who desired to hear him.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, First Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Manus, Administrators of the Universe.”
FAQs
This verse highlights that Śukadeva spoke while the sages listened attentively, emphasizing the sacred power of hearing divine narrations (kathā) in satsanga.
Because Parīkṣit had renounced worldly concerns and sat for prāyopaveśa, asking sincere questions about spiritual truth; Śukadeva honored the king’s devotion and readiness to hear.
Seek focused listening to authentic spiritual teachings—preferably in the company of serious practitioners—and approach them with humility and sincere inquiry, as Parīkṣit did.