Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
सूत उवाच एतन्निशम्य मुनिनाभिहितं परीक्षिद् व्यासात्मजेन निखिलात्मदृशा समेन । तत्पादमूलमुपसृत्य नतेन मूर्ध्ना बद्धाञ्जलिस्तमिदमाह स विष्णुरात: ॥ १ ॥
sūta uvāca etan niśamya muninābhihitaṁ parīkṣid vyāsātmajena nikhilātma-dṛśā samena tat-pāda-mūlam upasṛtya natena mūrdhnā baddhāñjalis tam idam āha sa viṣṇurātaḥ
Sūta dit : Après avoir entendu tout ce que lui avait exposé Śukadeva, fils de Vyāsa, sage réalisé et égal en toutes circonstances, Parīkṣit s’approcha humblement de la racine de ses pieds de lotus. La tête inclinée sur les pieds du muni et les mains jointes, le roi protégé par Viṣṇu parla ainsi.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, some of the sages present while Śukadeva was instructing King Parīkṣit were impersonalist philosophers. Thus the word samena indicates that in the previous chapter Śukadeva Gosvāmī had spoken the philosophy of self-realization in a way pleasing to such intellectual yogīs.
FAQs
This verse shows Parīkṣit approaching Śukadeva with humility—bowed head and folded hands—indicating that sincere hearing and respectful surrender are essential for receiving realized knowledge.
Because Śukadeva is described as a seer of the Self in all and equal to everyone; Parīkṣit honors him as a fully realized teacher and thus approaches him with reverence to hear further.
Practice attentive listening to authentic teachings, cultivate humility, and approach spiritual mentors without ego—seeking truth rather than debate or display of learning.