Shloka 36
Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada
श्रीदक्ष उवाच अहो असाधो साधूनां साधुलिङ्गेन नस्त्वया । असाध्वकार्यर्भकाणां भिक्षोर्मार्ग: प्रदर्शित: ॥ ३६ ॥
śrī-dakṣa uvāca aho asādho sādhūnāṁ sādhu-liṅgena nas tvayā asādhv akāry arbhakāṇāṁ bhikṣor mārgaḥ pradarśitaḥ
श्रीदक्ष उवाच—अहो असाधो! साधूनां साधुलिङ्गेन नः त्वया; असाध्वकार्येऽर्भकाणां भिक्षोः मार्गः प्रदर्शितः।
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, sannyāsīra alpa chidra sarva-loke gāya ( Cc. Madhya 12.51). In society one will find many sannyāsīs, vānaprasthas, gṛhasthas and brahmacārīs, but if all of them properly live in accordance with their duties, they are understood to be sādhus. Prajāpati Dakṣa was certainly a sādhu because he had executed such great austerities that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, had appeared before him. Nevertheless, he had a fault-finding mentality. He improperly thought Nārada Muni to be asādhu, or nonsaintly, because Nārada had foiled his intentions. Desiring to train his sons to become gṛhasthas fully equipped with knowledge, Dakṣa had sent them to execute austerities by Nārāyaṇa-saras. Nārada Muni, however, taking advantage of their highly elevated position in austerity, instructed them to become Vaiṣṇavas in the renounced order. This is the duty of Nārada Muni and his followers. They must show everyone the path of renouncing this material world and returning home, back to Godhead. Prajāpati Dakṣa, however, could not see the exaltedness of the duties Nārada Muni performed in relation to his sons. Unable to appreciate Nārada Muni’s behavior, Dakṣa accused Nārada of being asādhu.
FAQs
This verse highlights Daksha’s accusation that saintly dress (sādhu-liṅga) can be misread; the deeper teaching is to discern genuine spiritual intent rather than relying only on externals.
Daksha believed Narada diverted his young sons from household duties and progeny by inspiring renunciation, so he criticized Narada as using saintly signs while leading them to a mendicant’s path.
Do not make major life decisions based only on outward labels or appearances; evaluate guidance by its sincerity, scriptural alignment, and long-term spiritual benefit.