Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 14
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
कुमारो नारद ऋभुरङ्गिरा देवलोऽसित: । अपान्तरतमा व्यासो मार्कण्डेयोऽथ गौतम: ॥ १२ ॥ वसिष्ठो भगवान् राम: कपिलो बादरायणि: । दुर्वासा याज्ञवल्क्यश्च जातुकर्णस्तथारुणि: ॥ १३ ॥ रोमशश्च्यवनो दत्त आसुरि: सपतञ्जलि: । ऋषिर्वेदशिरा धौम्यो मुनि: पञ्चशिखस्तथा ॥ १४ ॥ हिरण्यनाभ: कौशल्य: श्रुतदेव ऋतध्वज: । एते परे च सिद्धेशाश्चरन्ति ज्ञानहेतव: ॥ १५ ॥
kumāro nārada ṛbhur aṅgirā devalo ’sitaḥ apāntaratamā vyāso mārkaṇḍeyo ’tha gautamaḥ
Ô grandes âmes, j’ai entendu dire que parmi les mahāsiddha, êtres parfaits qui parcourent la terre afin d’enseigner la connaissance à ceux que l’ignorance recouvre, se trouvent Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, Ṛbhu, Aṅgirā, Devala, Asita, Apāntaratamā (Vyāsa), Mārkaṇḍeya, Gautama, Vasiṣṭha, le Bhagavān Paraśurāma, Kapila, Śukadeva, Durvāsā, Yājñavalkya, Jātukarṇa et Aruṇi. S’y ajoutent Romaśa, Cyavana, Dattātreya, Āsuri, Patañjali, le grand sage Dhaumya, tel la tête des Veda, le sage Pañcaśikha, Hiraṇyanābha, Kauśalya, Śrutadeva et Ṛtadhvaja. Assurément, tu es toi aussi de leur nombre.
The word jñāna-hetavaḥ is very significant because great personalities like those listed in these verses wander on the surface of the globe not to mislead the populace, but to distribute real knowledge. Without this knowledge, human life is wasted. The human form of life is meant for realization of one’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa, or God. One who lacks this knowledge is categorized among the animals. The Lord Himself says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.15) :
FAQs
To show that perfected saints constantly travel for the purpose of awakening spiritual knowledge in others, emphasizing the power of saintly association (sādhu-saṅga).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing renowned sages and perfected beings who roam to enlighten living beings.
Seek guidance from authentic sādhus and genuine śāstric teachings, regularly hear and study Bhagavatam, and keep company that increases devotion and spiritual understanding.