Shloka 75
भरतचरितम्—मृगासक्ति-हेतुकः समाधिभङ्गः, जातिस्मरत्वं, रहूगण-जाḍभरत-संवादः
यो भवान् यन् निमित्तं वा यद् आगमनकारणम् तत् सर्वं कथ्यतां विद्वन् मह्यं शुश्रूषवे त्वया
yo bhavān yan nimittaṃ vā yad āgamanakāraṇam tat sarvaṃ kathyatāṃ vidvan mahyaṃ śuśrūṣave tvayā
O venerable sir—who you are, for what purpose you have come, and what cause has brought about your arrival—tell me all of this, O wise one, for I am eager to listen to your words.
A host/interlocutor addressing a learned visitor (within the Maitreya–Parāśara narrative frame, this functions as a formal request to begin the teaching)
Concept: A sincere seeker should inquire respectfully into the identity and intention of a teacher or visitor, with readiness to listen.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Approach teachings with humility—ask clear questions and cultivate attentive listening before judging.
Vishishtadvaita: Knowledge transmission is relational: the jiva learns through receptive śravaṇa under a qualified teacher, consistent with bhakti-oriented pramāṇa.
FAQs
This verse highlights the listener’s readiness and humility, presenting attentive hearing as the proper gateway to receiving Purāṇic knowledge and dharmic instruction.
By having the listener ask who the speaker is and why he has come, the text formally frames the discourse as an intentional transmission of wisdom rather than casual storytelling.
While Vishnu is not named here, the verse functions as the threshold to teachings that culminate in Vishnu’s sovereignty as the Supreme Reality governing creation and universal order.