Śaunaka Ṛṣi Leading the Sages in the Art of Inquiry

This article presents a thematic survey of Śaunaka Ṛṣi's inquiries, philosophical statements, and glorification of hari-kathā. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Śaunaka Ṛṣi.

Śaunaka Ṛṣi was the chief of the great sages who assembled at Naimiṣāraṇya to perform a sacrifice for the benefit of humanity in the Age of Kali. Recognizing Sūta Gosvāmī as a fully realized soul, Śaunaka placed a series of profound questions before him. These questions triggered the recitation of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śaunaka Ṛṣi's verses are famous for their poetic condemnation of a life devoid of devotion and their emphatic assertion that hearing the glories of the Lord is the only way to save oneself from the cycle of birth and death.

The Value of Time and Hearing

Śaunaka Ṛṣi opens the dialogue by establishing the supreme value of hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He warns that time is the greatest enemy of the conditioned soul, stripping away life with every sunrise and sunset, unless one takes shelter of kṛṣṇa-kathā.

The Sun Steals Life

Śaunaka Ṛṣi asserts that for the materialist, the passage of time is a slaughtering process. However, the devotee who engages in discussion of the Supreme Lord conquers time and gathers spiritual assets that are eternal.

  • "Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead."
  • "Lazy human beings with paltry intelligence and a short duration of life pass the night sleeping and the day performing activities that are for naught."
  • "O learned Sūta Gosvāmī! Please continue to explain such topics to us because we are all eager to hear. Besides that, topics which result in the discussion of the Lord Hari should certainly be discussed in the assembly of devotees."
  • "Living beings who are under his grip should take advantage by hearing the deathless nectar in the form of this narration of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord."

The Safety of Naimiṣāraṇya

Śaunaka Ṛṣi explains that the assembly of sages has invited Yamarāja (death) to be present as a listener. As long as the discussion of the Lord continues, death is suspended, offering a unique opportunity for immortality.

  • "As long as Yamarāja, who causes everyone's death, is present here (in SB 1.16.8), no one shall meet with death. The great sages have invited the controller of death, Yamarāja, who is the representative of the Lord."
  • "O Sūta Gosvāmī, there are those amongst men who desire freedom from death and get eternal life. They escape the slaughtering process by calling the controller of death, Yamarāja."
  • "The hearing of such narrations is exactly like bathing in the water of the Ganges, for it can free one from all sinful reactions."

Symptoms of a Living Corpse (Condemnation of Materialism)

In a celebrated series of verses, Śaunaka Ṛṣi graphically condemns those who do not use their senses in the service of the Lord. He argues that biological functions such as breathing and eating do not constitute "life" unless there is God consciousness; otherwise, trees and bellows would be considered superior living beings.

Useless Senses

Śaunaka Ṛṣi compares the unused senses of a non-devotee to useless material objects. Eyes without the vision of the Lord are merely decorations like the eyes on a peacock feather, and legs that don't visit holy places are rooted like tree trunks.

  • "One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered to possess earholes like the holes of snakes."
  • "The eyes which do not look at the symbolic representations of the Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu (His forms, name, quality, etc.) are like those printed on the plumes of the peacock."
  • "The legs which do not move to the holy places (where the Lord is remembered) are considered to be like tree trunks."
  • "The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord's pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body."
  • "The upper portion of the body, though crowned with a silk turban, is only a heavy burden if not bowed down before the Personality of Godhead who can award mukti - freedom."
  • "The hands, though decorated with glittering bangles, are like those of a dead man if not engaged in the service of the Personality of Godhead Hari."

The Steel-Framed Heart

He provides a diagnostic for spiritual hardness. If one chants the holy name but feels no transformation or ecstasy, it indicates a heart blocked by offenses, comparable to steel.

  • "Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on end."
  • "Men who are like dogs, hogs, camels and asses praise those men who never listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the deliverer from evils."

Merely Breathing

Śaunaka Ṛṣi dismisses the biological definition of life. He points out that bellows breathe, beasts eat and mate; true human life begins with an inquiry into the Absolute Truth.

  • "Do the trees not live? Do the bellows of the blacksmith not breathe? All around us, do the beasts not eat and discharge semen?"
  • "The person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasī leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing."

Inquiries about Parīkṣit Mahārāja

Śaunaka Ṛṣi shows great interest in the history of Emperor Parīkṣit. He wonders how such a powerful king, who had enemies bowing at his feet, could renounce his kingdom to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges.

A Saintly King

He inquires about Parīkṣit's devotional nature from childhood, noting his playful imitation of worship and his immense prestige.

  • "It is said that Mahārāja Parīkṣit is a great first-class devotee of the Lord and that his birth and activities are all wonderful. Please tell us about him."
  • "Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the grandson of the Pāṇḍavas, was from his very childhood a great devotee of the Lord. Even while playing with dolls, he used to worship Lord Kṛṣṇa by imitating the worship of the family Deity."
  • "Mahārāja Parīkṣit was such a great emperor that all his enemies would come and bow down at his feet and surrender all their wealth for their own benefit."
  • "We all respectfully want to hear about him (Mahārāja Parīkṣit) to whom Śukadeva Gosvāmī imparted transcendental knowledge. Please speak on this matter."

Renunciation of the Emperor

Śaunaka Ṛṣi is puzzled by the King's decision to give up his body, which was a shelter for the citizens, asking for the deeper spiritual reason behind his detachment.

  • "Mahārāja Parīkṣit was full of youth and strength, and he possessed insuperable kingly opulences. Why did he want to give up everything, including his life?"
  • "Parīkṣit was a great emperor & possessed all the opulences of his acquired kingdom. He was so exalted that he was increasing the prestige of the Pāṇḍu dynasty. Why did he give up everything to sit down on the bank of the Ganges and fast until death?"
  • "Even though the Emperor (Parīkṣit) was free from all attachment to worldly possessions, how could he give up his mortal body, which was shelter for others?"

Birth and Judgment

He recalls Parīkṣit's miraculous birth and questions his judgment in punishing the personification of Kali only slightly.

  • "The sage Śaunaka said: The womb of Uttarā, mother of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, was spoiled by the dreadful and invincible brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā. But Mahārāja Parīkṣit was saved by the Supreme Lord."
  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquired: Why did Mahārāja Parīkṣit simply punish him, since he was the lowest of the śūdras, having dressed as a king and having struck a cow on the leg? Please describe all these incidents if they relate to the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa."

Inquiries about Śukadeva Gosvāmī

The Śaunaka Ṛṣi is equally fascinated by the speaker of the Bhāgavatam, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. He questions how a liberated soul, absorbed in monism, became attracted to the pastimes of God's personality, and how he was recognized despite his madman-like appearance.

The Liberated Sage

Śaunaka Ṛṣi asks why Śukadeva, who was already satisfied in the self, took the trouble to study the vast Vedic literature, revealing the attractive power of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes even for liberated souls.

  • "Śrī Śaunaka asked Sūta Gosvāmī: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī was already on the path of self-realization, and thus he was pleased with his own self. So why did he take the trouble to undergo the study of such a vast literature?"
  • "His (Vyāsadeva's) son was a great devotee, an equibalanced monist, whose mind was always concentrated in monism. He was transcendental to mundane activities, but being unexposed, he appeared like an ignorant person."
  • "How did it so happen that King Parīkṣit met this great sage, making it possible for this great transcendental essence of the Vedas (Bhāgavatam) to be sung to him?"
  • "Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vyāsadeva, was also full in transcendental knowledge and was a great devotee of Kṛṣṇa, son of Vāsudeva. So there must have been discussions of Kṛṣṇa, who is glorified by great philosophers and in the company of great devotees."

Appearance and Recognition

Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquires how the citizens recognized Śukadeva upon his entry into Hastināpura, given his unconventional behavior. Śaunaka also narrates the famous story of the bathing damsels who felt no shame before Śukadeva but covered themselves before Vyāsadeva.

  • "How was he (Śrīla Śukadeva, the son of Vyāsa) recognized by the citizens when he entered the city of Hastināpura (now Delhi), after wandering in the provinces of Kuru and Jāṅgala, appearing like a madman, dumb and retarded?"
  • "Vyāsa inquired about this, and the young ladies replied that his son (Śukadeva) was purified and when looking at them made no distinction between male and female, but the sage made such distinctions."
  • "While Śrī Vyāsadeva was following his son, beautiful young damsels who were bathing naked covered their bodies with cloth, although Śrī Vyāsadeva himself was not naked. But they had not done so when his son had passed."

Sanctifying Householders

Śaunaka Ṛṣi notes that Śukadeva Gosvāmī's visits to householders were brief but potent, intended solely for their spiritual upliftment.

  • "He (Śukadeva Gosvāmī) was accustomed to stay at the door of a householder only long enough for a cow to be milked. And he did this just to sanctify the residence."
  • "The son of Vyāsadeva, Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, was a highly learned sage and was able to describe things in a poetic manner."
  • "O Sūta Gosvāmī, your words are pleasing to our minds. Please therefore explain this to us as it was spoken by the great devotee Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who is very expert in transcendental knowledge, and who spoke to Mahārāja Parīkṣit upon being asked."

Inquiries about Vidura and Maitreya

Śaunaka Ṛṣi expresses a deep desire to hear the conversation between Vidura and Maitreya Ṛṣi. He recognizes Vidura as a pure devotee who left his family for the sake of the Lord.

Vidura's Pilgrimage

Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquires into the reasons for Vidura's departure and his activities while traveling to holy places, recognizing that a devotee's journey is always significant.

  • "Also please let us know the reason for Vidura's giving up the connection of his family members, and why he again came home. Please also let us know the activities of Vidura while he was in the places of pilgrimage."
  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquired about Vidura, who was a great devotee and friend of Lord Kṛṣṇa and who gave up the company of his elder brother because the latter, along with his sons, played tricks against the desires of the Lord."
  • "Vidura was born from the body of Veda-vyāsa and was not less than he. Thus he accepted the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa wholeheartedly and was attached to His devotees."
  • "Vidura was purified of all passion by wandering in sacred places, and at last he reached Hardwar, where he met the great sage (Maitreya) who knew the science of spiritual life, and he inquired from him."
  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi, after hearing all about the creation, inquired from Sūta Gosvāmī about Vidura, for Sūta Gosvāmī had previously informed him how Vidura left home, leaving aside all his relatives, who were very difficult to leave."

Vidura and Maitreya's Conversation

Śaunaka Ṛṣi specifically asks for the content of the dialogue between Vidura and Maitreya, knowing it will contain the essence of spiritual truth.

  • "Śaunaka continued: There is no one who knows more than the Lord Himself. No one is more worshipable or more mature a yogī than He. He is therefore the master of the Vedas, and to hear about Him always is the actual pleasure of the senses."
  • "Śaunaka inquired about the conversation between Vidura and Maitreya: There must have been many narrations of the spotless pastimes of the Lord."
  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi said: Let us know, please, what topics were discussed between Vidura and Maitreya, who talked on transcendental subjects, and what was inquired by Vidura and replied by Maitreya."
  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi therefore asked: What more did Vidura inquire from Maitreya?"

Inquiries on Incarnations and History

Beyond the main narrative, Śaunaka Ṛṣi poses specific questions regarding various incarnations, the editing of the Vedas, and the histories of other sages, such as Mārkaṇḍeya.

Kapila and Manu

Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquires about the Lord's appearance as Kapila Muni to disseminate knowledge and the activities of Svāyambhuva Manu.

  • "Śrī Śaunaka said: Although He is unborn, the Supreme Personality of Godhead took birth as Kapila Muni by His internal potency. He descended to disseminate transcendental knowledge for the benefit of the whole human race."
  • "Śrī Śaunaka inquired: O Sūta Gosvāmī, after the earth was again situated in its orbit, what did Svāyambhuva Manu do to show the path of liberation to persons who were to take birth later on?"

Mārkaṇḍeya's Bewilderment

In the Twelfth Canto, Śaunaka asks about the unique experience of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, who saw the devastation of the universe while remaining within the current day of Brahmā.

  • "Authorities say that Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the son of Mṛkaṇḍu. was an exceptionally long-lived sage who was the only survivor at the end of Brahmā's day, when the entire universe was merged in the flood of annihilation. But this same Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the foremost descendant of Bhṛgu, took birth in my own family during the current day of Brahmā, and we have not yet seen any total annihilation in this day of Brahmā. Also, it is well known that Mārkaṇḍeya while wandering helplessly in the great ocean of annihilation, saw in those fearful waters a wonderful personality—an infant boy lying alone within the fold of a banyan leaf. O Sūta, I am most bewildered and curious about this great sage, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi. O great yogī, you are universally accepted as the authority on all the Purāṇas. Therefore kindly dispel my confusion."
  • "Also, it is well known that Mārkaṇḍeya while wandering helplessly in the great ocean of annihilation, saw in those fearful waters a wonderful personality—an infant boy lying alone within the fold of a banyan leaf. O Sūta, I am most bewildered and curious about this great sage, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi."

Vedic Editing and Tantra

Śaunaka Ṛṣi asks about the division of the Vedas by Vyāsadeva, the process of kriyā-yoga, and the expansions of the sun-god.

  • "Śaunaka Ṛṣi said: O gentle Sūta, please narrate to us how Paila and the other greatly intelligent disciples of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, who are known as the standard authorities of Vedic wisdom, spoke and edited the Vedas."
  • "Ṛṣi Śaunaka asked: O Sūta, the great and transcendentally powerful Vyāsadeva heard everything from Śrī Nārada Muni. So after Nārada's departure, what did Vyāsadeva do?"
  • "Śaunaka Muni asked: After killing his enemies who desired to usurp his rightful inheritance, how did the greatest of all religious men, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, assisted by his brothers, rule his subjects?"
  • "Yudhiṣṭhira administered generously to everyone during his reign. He was exactly like a father. He had no personal ambition and was freed from all sorts of sense gratification because of his continuous service unto the lotus feet of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa."
  • "Śrī Śaunaka said: O Sūta, you are the best of learned men and a great devotee of the Supreme Lord. Therefore we now inquire from you about the definitive conclusion of all tantra scriptures."
  • "All good fortune to you! Please explain to us, who are very eager to learn, the process of kriyā-yoga practiced through regulated worship of the transcendental Lord, the husband of the goddess of fortune. Please also explain how the Lord's devotees conceive of His limbs, associates, weapons and ornaments in terms of particular material representations. By expertly worshiping the Supreme Lord, a mortal can attain immortality.."
  • "Śrī Śaunaka said: Please describe to us, who have great faith in your words, the different sets of seven personal features and associates the sun-god exhibits during each month, along with their names and activities. The associates of the sun-god, who serve their lord, are personal expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari in His feature as the presiding deity of the sun."

Glorification of Sūta Gosvāmī and Hari-kathā

Śaunaka Ṛṣi consistently encourages Sūta Gosvāmī, affirming his qualifications and expressing the sages' insatiable desire to hear the "honey" of the Lord's pastimes.

Qualifications of the Speaker

Śaunaka Ṛṣi acknowledges Sūta Gosvāmī as the most fortunate and expert speaker of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, capable of dispelling ignorance because of his devotion.

  • "O Sūta Gosvāmī, all good fortune to you! Please narrate the activities of the Lord, which are all magnanimous and worth glorifying. What sort of devotee can be satiated by hearing the nectarean pastimes of the Lord?"
  • "Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī."
  • "We know that you are expert in the meaning of all subjects, except some portions of the Vedas, and thus you (Śaunaka Ṛṣi) can clearly explain the answers to all the questions we have just put to you."
  • "Śrī Śaunaka said: O Sūta, may you live a long life! O saintly one, best of speakers, please continue speaking to us. Indeed, only you can show men the path out of the ignorance in which they are wandering."

The Nectar of Hearing

Śaunaka Ṛṣi concludes that the only worthy use of life is to taste the nectar from the Lord's lotus feet, which is the sole motivation of the pure devotees.

  • "The devotees of the Lord are accustomed to licking up the honey available from the lotus feet of the Lord. What is the use of topics which simply waste one's valuable life?"
  • "Therefore please precisely describe all the activities and pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is full of self-desire and who assumes all these activities by His internal potency."
  • "Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Saunaka Rsi. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

Retrieved from "https://vanipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Śaunaka_Ṛṣi_Leading_the_Sages_in_the_Art_of_Inquiry&oldid=636905"