Shloka 5
अध्याय ३२३ — श्वेतद्वीपगमनम्, यज्ञभाग-विवादः, एकान्तिभक्त्या नारायणदर्शन-नियमः (Śvetadvīpa Journey; Dispute over Sacrificial Share; Rule of Nārāyaṇa-vision through Single-minded Devotion)
माहात्म्यमात्मयोगं च विज्ञानं च शुकस्य ह । यथावदानुपूर्व्येण तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
māhātmyam ātmayogaṃ ca vijñānaṃ ca śukasya ha | yathāvad ānupūrvyena tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai Datukanda, ceritakanlah kepadaku—dengan tepat dan menurut tertibnya—tentang keagungan, ātma-yoga (disiplin penyedaran diri), dan pengetahuan sejati yang berkaitan dengan Śuka.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a request for a structured exposition of Śuka’s spiritual stature (māhātmya), the practical path of self-realization (ātmayoga), and realized insight (vijñāna). It emphasizes that ethical-spiritual knowledge should be taught accurately and sequentially, suggesting disciplined learning rather than fragmented instruction.
In Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and asks him to explain, in proper order, the greatness and teachings connected with the sage Śuka—setting up Bhīṣma’s forthcoming instruction on inner discipline and liberating knowledge.