Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 25
Nārada’s Past Life, the Lord’s Brief Vision, and the Power of Kīrtana
एतावदुक्त्वोपरराम तन्महद् भूतं नभोलिङ्गमलिङ्गमीश्वरम् । अहं च तस्मै महतां महीयसे शीर्ष्णावनामं विदधेऽनुकम्पित: ॥ २५ ॥
etāvad uktvopararāma tan mahad bhūtaṁ nabho-liṅgam aliṅgam īśvaram ahaṁ ca tasmai mahatāṁ mahīyase śīrṣṇāvanāmaṁ vidadhe ’nukampitaḥ
そう語り終えると、音として顕れ、眼には見えぬが実に妙なる至高の主は沈黙された。感謝に満たされ、私は頭を垂れて、偉大なる者の中の最も偉大なる御方に礼拝した。
That the Personality of Godhead was not seen but only heard does not make any difference. The Personality of Godhead produced the four Vedas by His breathing, and He is seen and realized through the transcendental sound of the Vedas. Similarly, the Bhagavad-gītā is the sound representation of the Lord, and there is no difference in identity. The conclusion is that the Lord can be seen and heard by persistent chanting of the transcendental sound.
FAQs
This verse describes the Supreme Lord as beyond material symptoms and labels—He may appear in a perceivable form, yet His true nature is transcendental and not limited by matter.
Narada, overwhelmed by divine mercy, responds with humility and reverence—showing that the proper reply to the Lord’s revelation is surrender and respectful obeisance.
Cultivate humility: when receiving spiritual insight or guidance, respond by honoring the Divine and living with gratitude rather than pride or entitlement.