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
Wahai jiwa agung, aku mendengar bahawa antara para mahāsiddha yang mengembara di muka bumi untuk mengajar pengetahuan rohani kepada manusia yang diselubungi kejahilan ialah Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, Ṛbhu, Aṅgirā, Devala, Asita, Apāntaratamā (Vyāsa), Mārkaṇḍeya, Gautama, Vasiṣṭha, Bhagavān Paraśurāma, Kapila, Śukadeva, Durvāsā, Yājñavalkya, Jātukarṇa dan Aruṇi. Yang lain ialah Romaśa, Cyavana, Dattātreya, Āsuri, Patañjali, resi Dhaumya yang bagaikan kepala Veda, resi Pañcaśikha, Hiraṇyanābha, Kauśalya, Śrutadeva dan Ṛtadhvaja. Pastilah engkau juga termasuk dalam kalangan mereka.
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) :
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.