Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 33
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
तमभिज्ञाय सहसा प्रत्युत्थायागतं मुनि: । पूजयामास विधिवन्नारदं सुरपूजितम् ॥ ३३ ॥
tam abhijñāya sahasā pratyutthāyāgataṁ muniḥ pūjayām āsa vidhivan nāradaṁ sura-pūjitam
Vừa nhận ra vị hiền triết mới đến, Vyāsa lập tức đứng dậy cung kính và thờ phụng Nārada—bậc được chư thiên tôn kính—đúng nghi lễ, kính trọng như đối với Brahmā.
Vidhi means Brahmā, the first created living being. He is the original student as well as professor of the Vedas. He learned it from Śrī Kṛṣṇa and taught Nārada first. So Nārada is the second ācārya in the line of spiritual disciplic succession. He is the representative of Brahmā, and therefore he is respected exactly like Brahmā, the father of all vidhis (regulations); similarly all other successive disciples in the chain are also equally respected as representatives of the original spiritual master.
FAQs
This verse shows that even great sages like Vyāsa immediately rise, receive, and worship an exalted devotee like Nārada according to proper Vedic procedure.
Vyāsa recognized Nārada’s spiritual stature—one worshiped even by the gods—so he followed dharmic etiquette by offering respectful reception and formal worship.
Cultivate humility and reverence: when meeting advanced devotees or teachers, offer attentive respect, proper hospitality, and a receptive attitude to guidance.