Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
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
O mga dakilang kaluluwa, narinig ko na kabilang sa mga ganap at perpektong siddha na gumagala sa ibabaw ng daigdig upang magturo ng kaalaman sa mga natatakpan ng kamangmangan ay sina Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, Ṛbhu, Aṅgirā, Devala, Asita, Apāntaratamā (Vyāsa), Mārkaṇḍeya, Gautama, Vasiṣṭha, Bhagavān Paraśurāma, Kapila, Śukadeva, Durvāsā, Yājñavalkya, Jātukarṇa at Aruṇi; gayundin sina Romaśa, Cyavana, Dattātreya, Āsuri, Patañjali, ang pantas na Dhaumya na tila ulo ng mga Veda, ang pantas na Pañcaśikha, Hiraṇyanābha, Kauśalya, Śrutadeva at Ṛtadhvaja, at iba pa. Tiyak na kabilang kayo roon.
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) :
FAQs
The verse lists renowned perfected sages such as Sanat-kumāra, Nārada, Aṅgirā, Vyāsa, and Mārkaṇḍeya, describing them as spiritual authorities who move through the worlds to awaken true knowledge.
He emphasizes that exalted saints actively work for the enlightenment of conditioned souls; their presence and teachings are a primary means for awakening spiritual understanding.
Seek genuine association with saintly teachers (through study, guidance, and practice), because contact with realized devotees accelerates clarity, detachment, and devotion.