Shloka 23
The Forest of Material Existence: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
नमो महद्भ्योऽस्तु नम: शिशुभ्यो नमो युवभ्यो नम आवटुभ्य: । ये ब्राह्मणा गामवधूतलिङ्गा- श्चरन्ति तेभ्य: शिवमस्तु राज्ञाम् ॥ २३ ॥
namo mahadbhyo ’stu namaḥ śiśubhyo namo yuvabhyo nama āvaṭubhyaḥ ye brāhmaṇā gām avadhūta-liṅgāś caranti tebhyaḥ śivam astu rājñām
Aku mempersembahkan sembah hormat kepada para insan agung—sama ada mereka berjalan di bumi sebagai kanak-kanak, pemuda, avadhūta, atau brāhmaṇa yang tersembunyi dalam pelbagai rupa. Walau berlindung di sebalik samaran yang berbeza, aku menunduk kepada mereka semua. Dengan belas kasihan mereka, semoga dinasti raja yang sering menyinggung mereka pun memperoleh kesejahteraan.
King Rahūgaṇa was very repentant because he had forced Jaḍa Bharata to carry his palanquin. He therefore began offering prayers to all kinds of brāhmaṇas and self-realized persons, even though they might be playing like children or hiding in some guises. The four Kumāras walked everywhere in the guise of five-year-old boys, and similarly there are many brāhmaṇas, knowers of Brahman, who traverse the globe either as young men, children or avadhūtas. Being puffed up due to their position, the royal dynasties generally offend these great personalities. Therefore King Rahūgaṇa began to offer his respectful obeisances unto them so that the offensive royal dynasties might not glide down into a hellish condition. If one offends a great personality, the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not excuse one, although the great personalities themselves might not take offense. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was offended by Durvāsā, who even approached Lord Viṣṇu for pardon. Lord Viṣṇu would not grant him pardon; therefore he had to fall down at the lotus feet of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, even though Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was a kṣatriya-gṛhastha. One should be very careful not to offend the lotus feet of Vaiṣṇavas and brāhmaṇas.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even if a saint appears like a child, youth, or even “mad,” one should offer respect, because genuine brāhmaṇas and avadhūtas may conceal their spiritual stature behind unconventional behavior.
Rahūgaṇa initially judged and insulted Bharata based on external appearance; Bharata responds by teaching that spiritual authority is not determined by social labels or outward dress, and that kings benefit by honoring such detached brāhmaṇas.
Avoid judging people’s spiritual depth by looks, status, or speech; cultivate humility, offer respect to sincere sādhus, and seek wisdom from those who are detached and truthful rather than merely socially impressive.