Shloka 31
प्रशान्तमासीनमकुण्ठमेधसं मुनिं नृपो भागवतोऽभ्युपेत्य । प्रणम्य मूर्ध्नावहित: कृताञ्जलि- र्नत्वा गिरा सूनृतयान्वपृच्छत् ॥ ३१ ॥
praśāntam āsīnam akuṇṭha-medhasaṁ muniṁ nṛpo bhāgavato ’bhyupetya praṇamya mūrdhnāvahitaḥ kṛtāñjalir natvā girā sūnṛtayānvapṛcchat
ஸ்ரீ ஷுகதேவ கோஸ்வாமி முழுமையாக அமைதியுடன், கூர்மையான அறிவுடன், தயக்கமின்றி பதிலளிக்கத் தயாராக அமர்ந்திருந்தார். மகாபக்தனான மகாராஜா பரீக்ஷித் அவரை அணுகி, தலைவணங்கி प्रणாமம் செய்து, கைகூப்பி இனிய சொற்களால் பணிவுடன் வினவினார்.
The gesture now adopted by Mahārāja Parīkṣit of questioning a master is quite befitting in terms of scriptural injunctions. The scriptural injunction is that one should humbly approach a spiritual master to understand the transcendental science. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was now prepared for meeting his death, and within the very short time of seven days he was to know the process of entering the kingdom of God. In such important cases, one is required to approach a spiritual master. There is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master unless one is in need of solving the problems of life. One who does not know how to put questions before the spiritual master has no business seeing him. And the qualification of the spiritual master is perfectly manifested in the person of Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Both the spiritual master and the disciple, namely Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Mahārāja Parīkṣit, attained perfection through the medium of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śukadeva Gosvāmī learned Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from his father, Vyāsadeva, but he had no chance to recite it. Before Mahārāja Parīkṣit he recited Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and answered the questions of Mahārāja Parīkṣit unhesitatingly, and thus both the master and the disciple got salvation.
FAQs
This verse shows the ideal approach: go with humility, offer respectful obeisance, fold the hands, and inquire with gentle, truthful words—ready to hear and serve.
Because Śukadeva is the realized sage fit to speak Bhagavata truth, and Parīkṣit demonstrates the disciple’s proper etiquette—respect first, then sincere inquiry.
Approach learning—especially spiritual learning—with calmness, respect, and honest questions; humility makes one receptive to wisdom and transformation.