Shloka 6
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
कथमालक्षित: पौरै: सम्प्राप्त: कुरुजाङ्गलान् । उन्मत्तमूकजडवद्विचरन् गजसाह्वये ॥ ६ ॥
katham ālakṣitaḥ pauraiḥ samprāptaḥ kuru-jāṅgalān unmatta-mūka-jaḍavad vicaran gaja-sāhvaye
കുരു-ജാങ്ഗല ദേശങ്ങളിൽ ഉന്മത്തനും മൂകനും ജഡനുമെന്നപോലെ സഞ്ചരിച്ച് ഗജസാഹ്വയം (ഹസ്തിനാപുരം) നഗരത്തിലെത്തിയപ്പോൾ പൗരന്മാർ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ എങ്ങനെ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞു?
The present city of Delhi was formerly known as Hastināpura because it was first established by King Hastī. Gosvāmī Śukadeva, after leaving his paternal home, was roaming like a madman, and therefore it was very difficult for the citizens to recognize him in his exalted position. A sage is not, therefore, recognized by sight, but by hearing. One should approach a sādhu or great sage not to see but to hear him. If one is not prepared to hear the words of a sādhu, there is no profit. Śukadeva Gosvāmī was a sādhu who could speak on the transcendental activities of the Lord. He did not satisfy the whims of ordinary citizens. He was recognized when he spoke on the subject of Bhāgavatam, and he never attempted jugglery like a magician. Outwardly he appeared to be a retarded, dumb madman, but in fact he was the most elevated transcendental personality.
FAQs
This verse highlights the external behavior of a paramahaṁsa—one so absorbed in Brahman and Bhagavān that social conventions and bodily awareness appear irrelevant, making him seem mad, mute, or dull to ordinary observers.
Gajasāhvaya is another name for Hastināpura, the Kuru capital, indicating the place where Śukadeva Gosvāmī wandered and where the Bhāgavatam’s central narration to King Parīkṣit unfolds.
The takeaway is inner detachment: cultivate remembrance of God and truth so deeply that ego-driven concern for reputation and social approval loses its grip, while still honoring dharma in one’s capacity.