Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 18
Rahūgaṇa Meets Jaḍa Bharata: The Shaking Palanquin and the Teaching Beyond Body-Identity
तद्ब्रूह्यसङ्गो जडवन्निगूढ- विज्ञानवीर्यो विचरस्यपार: । वचांसि योगग्रथितानि साधो न न: क्षमन्ते मनसापि भेत्तुम् ॥ १८ ॥
tad brūhy asaṅgo jaḍavan nigūḍha- vijñāna-vīryo vicarasy apāraḥ vacāṁsi yoga-grathitāni sādho na naḥ kṣamante manasāpi bhettum
দয়া করে বলুন—আপনি তো আসক্তিহীন, তবু জড়ের মতো কেন বিচরণ করেন? আপনার গূঢ় আধ্যাত্মিক শক্তি অপরিসীম। হে সাধু, যোগে গাঁথা আপনার বাক্য আমরা মন দিয়েও ভেদ করতে পারি না; অনুগ্রহ করে ব্যাখ্যা করুন।
Saintly people like Jaḍa Bharata do not speak ordinary words. Whatever they say is approved by great yogīs and those advanced in spiritual life. That is the difference between ordinary people and saintly people. The listener must also be advanced to understand the words of such exalted, spiritually advanced people as Jaḍa Bharata. Bhagavad-gītā was spoken to Arjuna, not to others. Lord Kṛṣṇa especially selected Arjuna for instruction in spiritual knowledge because Arjuna happened to be a great devotee and confidential friend. Similarly, great personalities also speak to the advanced, not to śūdras, vaiśyas, women or unintelligent men. Sometimes it is very risky to give great philosophical instructions to ordinary people, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for the benefit of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga, has given us a very nice instrument, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. The general mass of people, although śūdras and less, can be purified by chanting this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Then they can understand the exalted philosophical statements of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has therefore adopted the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra for the general masses. When people gradually become purified, they are instructed in the lessons of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Materialistic people like strī, śūdra and dvija-bandhu cannot understand words of spiritual advancement, yet one can take to the shelter of a Vaiṣṇava, for he knows the art of enlightening even śūdras in the highly elevated subject matter spoken in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
FAQs
It teaches that a genuine sadhu may appear ordinary or even dull outwardly, yet possesses hidden strength born of realized knowledge, and speaks profound truths woven with yoga and detachment.
Rahūgaṇa realized that Jaḍa Bharata was no common carrier but a spiritually perfected soul; humbled, he asked for clarification because the saint’s concise, yogic words were too deep to grasp superficially.
Do not judge spiritual depth by external appearance; approach wise, detached teachers with humility, ask sincere questions, and reflect patiently to understand teachings beyond intellectual pride.