Shloka 25
Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
तत्राभवद्भगवान् व्यासपुत्रो यदृच्छया गामटमानोऽनपेक्ष: । अलक्ष्यलिङ्गो निजलाभतुष्टो वृतश्च बालैरवधूतवेष: ॥ २५ ॥
tatrābhavad bhagavān vyāsa-putro yadṛcchayā gām aṭamāno ’napekṣaḥ alakṣya-liṅgo nija-lābha-tuṣṭo vṛtaś ca bālair avadhūta-veṣaḥ
ಆ ಕ್ಷಣದಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಸದೇವರ ಶಕ್ತಿಮಂತ ಪುತ್ರನಾದ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಶುಕದೇವನು ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷನಾದನು. ಅವನು ಯದೃಚ್ಛೆಯಿಂದ ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ನಿರಪೇಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸುತ್ತ, ಸ್ವಲಾಭತೃಪ್ತನಾಗಿ, ವಿರಕ್ತನಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ವರ್ಣಾಶ್ರಮದ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯರು ಮತ್ತು ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಸುತ್ತುವರಿದರೂ, ಅವನು ಅವಧೂತನಂತೆ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷಿತ ವೇಷದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದನು.
The word bhagavān is sometimes used in relation with some of the great devotees of the Lord, like Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Such liberated souls are disinterested in the affairs of this material world because they are self-satisfied by the great achievements of devotional service. As explained before, Śukadeva Gosvāmī never accepted any formal spiritual master, nor did he undergo any formal reformatory performances. His father, Vyāsadeva, was his natural spiritual master because Śukadeva Gosvāmī heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from him. After this, he became completely self-satisfied. Thus he was not dependent on any formal process. The formal processes are necessary for those who are expected to reach the stage of complete liberation, but Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī was already in that status by the grace of his father. As a young boy he was expected to be properly dressed, but he went about naked and was uninterested in social customs. He was neglected by the general populace, and inquisitive boys and women surrounded him as if he were a madman. He thus appears on the scene while traveling on the earth of his own accord. It appears that upon the inquiry of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the great sages were not unanimous in their decision as to what was to be done. For spiritual salvation there were many prescriptions according to the different modes of different persons. But the ultimate aim of life is to attain the highest perfectional stage of devotional service to the Lord. As doctors differ, so also sages differ in their different prescriptions. While such things were going on, the great and powerful son of Vyāsadeva appeared on the scene.
FAQs
This verse presents Śukadeva as Vyāsa’s son who wandered without dependence, free from external identifiers, satisfied by whatever came naturally—classic signs of an avadhūta/paramahaṁsa absorbed in spiritual realization.
“Alakṣya-liṅga” means he had no visible marks or social identifiers by which ordinary people could recognize his stature—indicating transcendence beyond external status and formalities.
Practice contentment and simplicity: reduce unnecessary wants, accept honest gains without anxiety, and keep spiritual priorities (hearing, chanting, service) at the center rather than constant acquisition.