Shloka 18
नारायणीयमाख्यानम् (Nārāyaṇīyam Ākhyānam) — Nārada’s Return and Hymnic Consolidation
शून्याकारं निराकारा: शुकं दृष्टवा विवासस: । उसमें बहुत-सी अप्सराएँ स्नान एवं जलक्रीड़ा कर रही थीं। यद्यपि वे नंगी थीं, तो भी शुकदेवजीको शून्याकार (बाह्ज्ञानसे रहित एवं आत्मनिष्ठ) देख अपने शरीरको ढकने या छिपानेके लिये उद्यत नहीं हुईं ।।
śūnyākāraṁ nirākārāḥ śukaṁ dṛṣṭvā vivāsasaḥ | taṁ prakrāmantam ājñāya pitā snehasamanvitaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“见到舒迦——安住于自性之中，因此对外境所缘的觉知如同‘空无’——那些心不执相的天女们，虽赤身露体，却并不急于遮掩或躲藏。其父因爱子之情，察觉舒迦正行走着……”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True purity and restraint are rooted in inner realization: when one is established in the Self and not objectifying others, social triggers like shame, display, or provocation lose their force. The verse highlights how perception shaped by detachment transforms ethical interaction.
Śuka passes by apsarases who are bathing and unclothed; recognizing his complete inward absorption and lack of outward, desirous gaze, they do not attempt to cover themselves. The verse then transitions to Vyāsa, Śuka’s father, noticing Śuka as he proceeds.