Shloka 18
नारायणीयमाख्यानम् (Nārāyaṇīyam Ākhyānam) — Nārada’s Return and Hymnic Consolidation
शून्याकारं निराकारा: शुकं दृष्टवा विवासस: । उसमें बहुत-सी अप्सराएँ स्नान एवं जलक्रीड़ा कर रही थीं। यद्यपि वे नंगी थीं, तो भी शुकदेवजीको शून्याकार (बाह्ज्ञानसे रहित एवं आत्मनिष्ठ) देख अपने शरीरको ढकने या छिपानेके लिये उद्यत नहीं हुईं ।। त॑ प्रक्रामन्तमाज्ञाय पिता स्नेहसमन्वितः
śūnyākāraṁ nirākārāḥ śukaṁ dṛṣṭvā vivāsasaḥ | taṁ prakrāmantam ājñāya pitā snehasamanvitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Seeing Śuka—absorbed in the Self and thus ‘empty’ of outward, object-directed awareness—the formless-minded apsarases, though unclothed, did not feel compelled to cover themselves or hide. When his father, moved by affection, realized that Śuka was walking on…”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True purity and restraint are rooted in inner realization: when one is established in the Self and not objectifying others, social triggers like shame, display, or provocation lose their force. The verse highlights how perception shaped by detachment transforms ethical interaction.
Śuka passes by apsarases who are bathing and unclothed; recognizing his complete inward absorption and lack of outward, desirous gaze, they do not attempt to cover themselves. The verse then transitions to Vyāsa, Śuka’s father, noticing Śuka as he proceeds.