Parīkṣit Resolves to Fast until Death and Inquires from Śukadeva as to Life’s Ultimate Duty

This chapter contains forty verses, out of which the first twelve and the last verse are spoken by Sūta. In between, there are several changes of speaker, with Sūta first relating the exchange between Parīkṣit and the sages who had arrived on the bank of the Gaṅgā to favor him in his final days (verses 13–24), and then recounting Parīkṣit’s address to Śrī Śukadeva when the latter suddenly appeared in their midst (verses 32–39).

In the previous chapter (verse 17), the sages headed by Śaunaka requested Sūta to disclose to them the teachings that Śukadeva had imparted to Parīkṣit—namely, the Śrīmad Bhāgavata. As a prelude to this discussion, Sūta first related how the meeting between the imperial monarch and the Brahman-realized sage had taken place. He thus related the story of Parīkṣit’s unprecedented offensive behavior toward the sage Śamīka and his being subsequently cursed by Śamīka’s young son, Śṛṅgī. The chapter ends with Śamīka chastising his son for his foolish and reprehensible act, which would have severe repercussions both for them and humanity at large because of the demise of the king, who was their protector and the upholder of dharma.

In this chapter, Sūta first describes how, on arriving back home, King Parīkṣit repented his unwarranted insult of the sage Śamīka. When he received the news from a disciple of Śamīka that he had been cursed to die in seven days from the bite of the deadly snake Takṣaka, he accepted the curse as a blessing in disguise, because it would quickly become the cause of his detachment from his royal duties and family entanglements. He thus gave up his royal post and regal dress and sat on the bank of the Gaṅgā River with a vow to fast until death. With this resolve, he fixed his attention on the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. At that time, a multitude of illustrious sages, headed by Vyāsa and Nārada, arrived there from all over the universe accompanied by their disciples (verses 1–12).

The king received the sages with due honor and informed them of his intent. In particular, he expressed a total absence of concern for Takṣaka and instead implored the sages to go on singing the narrations of Bhagavān until his last moment. In concluding, he prayed that in whatever birth he might obtain, the sages may be pleased to grace him with love for Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, intimate association with His devotees, and friendship toward all living beings (verses 13–16).

The scene was rendered all the more extraordinary by the presence of the devas, who showered flowers upon the king from the sky. Meanwhile, the assembled sages applauded the king’s resolve and declared their own intention to remain by his side until he left his body. Hearing the profound words of the sages and feeling blessed by them, the king questioned them as to the essential duty to be undertaken by everyone in all situations and particularly by those on the verge of death (verses 17–24).

Just then, the son of Vyāsa, Śrī Śukadeva, arrived there, fully absorbed in the bliss of Brahman and carefree. Because he was naked, with disheveled hair, and had assumed the outward appearance of an avadhūta, or an ascetic beyond the bounds of social propriety, it was impossible for people in general to identify him as a great sage. Sūta, however, in two and a half verses, describes his physical features, which were rarely seen and characteristic of a highly enlightened being. These symptoms were recognized by the assembled sages, who were well acquainted with the science of physiognomy, and thus they all stood up to receive him out of respect. The king also bowed his head to Śrī Śukadeva and offered him the seat of honor in the assembly. Being installed on that sacred throne and surrounded by groups of brāhmaṇa sages, royal sages, and celestial sages, Śukadeva appeared like the moon encircled by clusters of planets, constellations, and stars (verses 25–31).

Parīkṣit then addressed Śukadeva, expressing gratitude for receiving the sage’s invaluable and rare association. The king sensed that it was only out of Kṛṣṇa’s affection for His beloved Pāṇḍavas that he too was accepted by Kṛṣṇa as a friend. Thus, it was by Kṛṣṇa’s grace alone that the king now obtained the association of Śrī Śuka. Parīkṣit then inquired from the sage as to the means to the supreme perfection (samsiddhim). In elaborating this basic question, he inquired further, “What is to be heard, uttered, recollected, and worshiped by all human beings in all circumstances in the course of life and, especially, for those on the verge of death?” (verses 32–39). In the final verse of the chapter, Sūta describes Śuka as omniscient and fully conversant with the principles of dharma, being thus ideally suited to answer the king’s questions. Śukadeva’s reply is elaborated beginning from the Second Canto (verse 40).

All Verses

  1. Verse 1Śrī Sūta said: The king, however, later felt acutely aggrieved on account of the despicable act perpetrated by him and reflected as follows: Alas! Like an uncivilized fool, I have committed a heinous act against an innocent brāhmaṇa of hidden prowess.
  2. Verse 2Therefore, as a consequence of my offense to the Supreme Immanence, inevitable misfortune will certainly befall me. Rather, let that misfortune be brought to bear upon me—immediately, freely, and directly—as atonement for my sin, so that I may never commit such an atrocious act again.
  3. Verse 3Let the fire of the infuriated brāhmaṇa lineage incinerate this very day the kingdom, military power, and abundant treasury belonging to me, so that a sinful proclivity toward the brāhmaṇas, the devas, and the cows may never again overtake me, a most unfortunate and vile creature.
  4. Verse 4Then, while reflecting in this manner, the king heard how his death—designated as Takṣaka—would occur in seven days’ time due to the curse delivered by the son of the sage. Immediately thereupon, the king considered the fire represented by Takṣaka as propitious, since it would quickly become the cause of dispassion for one like him who was attached to the objects of worldly experience.
  5. Verse 5Thereafter, the emperor gave up both this world and the next, having already previously concluded both of them as fit to be abandoned. Then, considering the divine service of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet as the ultimate object of attainment, Parīkṣit sat down on the bank of the celestial river Gaṅgā with a vow to fast until death.
  6. Verse 6What person on the verge of death would not worship Gaṅgā Devī—the conveyer of the sacred water that exceeds all in glory by contact with the dust of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s feet mixed with tulasī leaves of splendorous beauty—who indeed purifies all worlds both within and without along with their universal guardians?
  7. Verse 7Having resolved in this manner to sit with a vow to fast until death on the bank of the Gaṅgā, Parīkṣit, who was liberated from all worldly attachments, who had thus embraced the demeanor of a sage, and was consequently of single-minded intent, focused his attention on the feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  8. Verse 8At that time, many sages of extraordinary spiritual power, who purify the entire world, arrived there, accompanied by their disciples. Generally, on the plea of visiting the sacred places of pilgrimage, the sages sanctify those holy places merely by their presence.
  9. Verse 9-10The prominent sages who had gathered at that sacred place included Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Cyavana, Śaradvān, Ariṣṭanemi, Bhṛgu, Aṅgirā, Parāśara, Gādhisuta [Viśvāmitra], Paraśurāma, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavāhu, Medhātithi, Devala, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Bhāradvāja, Gautama, Pippalāda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavaṣa, Kumbhayoni [Agastya], Dvaipāyana, and the illustrious Nārada.
  10. Verse 11Many others including the foremost of the celestial sages, the brāhmaṇa sages, and the royal sages, as well as other sages such as Aruṇa, all arrived there. The king [Parīkṣit] reverentially greeted the assembled members, who were the chief representatives of the various lineages of different sages, and honored them by bowing his head to the ground.
  11. Verse 12Then, after bowing down once again to the sages, who were now comfortably seated, the king, whose mind was completely pure, stood before them with joined palms and informed them of what he intended to do.
  12. Verse 13The king said: How wondrous that we [Pāṇḍavas] have become the most highly blessed among kings, since our demeanor has been deemed worthy of the grace of great sages such as you! Alas! Due to involvement in despicable acts, the dynasty of kings is cast far away from the water that washes the feet of the brāhmaṇas.
  13. Verse 14Unto me, who belong to the very same class of kings involved in despicable acts and who am thus a sinner, whose mind is continuously entangled in family affairs, Bhagavān, the Supreme Regulator of cause and effect, has appeared in the form of a brāhmaṇa’s curse, thus becoming the root cause of my indifference; since in the face of such a curse, a person who is attached to family life quickly develops resignation.
  14. Verse 15O brāhmaṇas, may you as well as Gaṅgā Devī know me, of such disposition, as a surrendered soul, whose mind is fixed on Bhagavān. Being impelled by the brāhmaṇa, let some illusionist deceive me or let the snake Takṣaka bite me, but please just go on singing the narrations of Bhagavān Viṣṇu without end.
  15. Verse 16Again, in whatever birth I might obtain, may you be pleased to grace me with love for the unlimited Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, intimate association with the exalted devotees whose one and only refuge is Bhagavān, and friendship toward all living beings. May I also extend respectful obeisances unto the brāhmaṇas.
  16. Verse 17Having fixed his resolve in this manner, the king entrusted the responsibility of his kingdom to his son [Janamejaya]. Then, facing north, the serene king sat down on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā on the protruding tips of kuśa grass with their roots inclined toward the east.
  17. Verse 18In this manner, when that foremost of kings [Parīkṣit] sat down with a vow to fast until death, groups of devas in the sky praised him and, out of great joy, showered him with flowers that rained upon the earth, while drums were sounded continuously.
  18. Verse 19Because the magnanimous sages who had assembled there were imbued with both the innate disposition and the capacity to extend grace to all people, they praised the king, approved of his intention—exclaiming, “Excellent!”—and spoke the following words to him, who appeared most attractive, being endowed with divine qualities exactly resembling those of Uttamaśloka, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  19. Verse 20O foremost of saintly kings, this [prayer of yours] is not at all surprising for you, who are perpetually devoted to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and who, out of eagerness to attain Bhagavān’s association, at once abandoned the imperial throne that was honored by the crowns of innumerable kings.
  20. Verse 21Hereafter, all of us will remain here for the entire duration until the king—this foremost devotee of Bhagavān—gives up his body and attains the transcendental abode, which is free from all deluding influence and bereft of sorrow.
  21. Verse 22Hearing those words of the sages, which were impartial, mellifluous, profound, and truthful, Parīkṣit, who was eager to hear the narrations of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, bowed down to those sages, of integrally focused awareness, and spoke to them as follows.
  22. Verse 23Like the Vedas, who assume personified forms in Satyaloka, all of you have assembled here in person from all directions. You have no aim, either in this world or in the next, other than bestowing mercy upon others [like me], for that is your innate disposition.
  23. Verse 24Therefore, O brāhmaṇas, placing complete trust in you, I ask you about that which alone is worthy of inquiry in the matter of ultimate duty. Since all of you are highly realized in respect to the following question, please deliberate and then instruct me as to the essential duty to be undertaken by everyone in all situations and particularly by those on the verge of death, and which is pristine in nature.
  24. Verse 25At that precise moment, the illustrious son of Vyāsadeva [Śrī Śuka], who roamed the earth at will, disinterested in worldly affairs, appeared there in their midst. He bore no marks of belonging to any social order or status of life and was fully contented in the immediate intuition of his ownmost authentic self. He was surrounded by women and children and assumed the outward appearance of an avadhūta, an ascetic beyond the bounds of conventional ethics and cultural sensibilities.
  25. Verse 26He was sixteen years old and his feet, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, cheeks, and body were all exquisitely delicate. His face was radiant with beautiful elongated eyes, a raised nose, symmetrical ears, and captivating eyebrows. His neck was elegantly shaped, being gracefully rounded and marked with three lines like a conch.
  26. Verse 27His collarbone was covered by flesh, his chest was broad and high, his navel was distinguished by a deep depression that spiraled downward like a whirlpool, and his abdomen was lovely, with delicate transverse lines at the base. He was naked, his hair was tangled and disheveled, his arms were long, and his complexion resembled that of Śrī Kṛṣṇa [who categorically transcends even the foremost of the devas].
  27. Verse 28He was dark of complexion and attractive to women, by virtue of the splendor of his limbs, which ever glistened with the very pinnacle of fresh youth, and by his naturally charming smile. Although his transcendental prowess was concealed, the sages, who were well-acquainted with the physiognomic symptoms exhibited by him, all rose from their seats to honor him.
  28. Verse 29Unto that guest [Śrī Śukadeva], who had just arrived, Parīkṣit offered homage by bowing his head. Then, the women and children, who were indeed ignorant [of Śukadeva’s greatness], withdrew from his side, while he, having been reverentially received, accepted the seat of honor.
  29. Verse 30While installed upon that seat of honor, surrounded by groups of brāhmaṇa sages, royal sages, and celestial sages, the illustrious Śukadeva, greatest even among the great, appeared extraordinarily resplendent, like the moon encircled by clusters of planets, constellations, and stars.
  30. Verse 31Approaching the sage of acute intellective insight, who was perfectly serene and comfortably seated, the king, who was a great devotee, offered obeisance to him by bowing his head to the ground. Then, fully attentive and with palms joined together, he bowed once again and, with a melodious voice, inquired from him in the following manner.
  31. Verse 32Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, how blessed are we! Since today, by the grace bestowed upon us by you, who have appeared to us in the form of a guest, we, although belonging to the fallen martial order, have been made eligible to be favored by saints [or to cherish the great saints as our very object of service].
  32. Verse 33Simply by the remembrance of you, people’s homes are indeed purified immediately. What more need be said of the purification they obtain by seeing you, touching you, washing your feet, offering you a seat, or other such forms of direct service?
  33. Verse 34O great yogī, simply by proximity to you even the vilest sins committed by human beings are indeed instantly destroyed, just as by proximity to Viṣṇu the asuras meet with destruction.
  34. Verse 35Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is dear to the Pāṇḍavas, must be pleased with me, who have appeared in their dynasty, since He has accepted me as a friend simply to please His cousins.
  35. Verse 36Otherwise [without Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s mercy], how can the vision of you—whose mode of being is undisclosed, who are established in complete perfection, and who are most munificent—be possible for ordinary human beings, and especially for those like us who are about to die?
  36. Verse 37Therefore, I ask you, the foremost wisdom teacher of the yogīs, what is the means by which the highest perfection may be obtained? Please inform us of that engagement which is to be undertaken by a human being under all circumstances in the midst of life in the world and, especially, for a person on the verge of death.
  37. Verse 38O master, please inform us of that which is imperative to be undertaken by human beings. What is to be heard and, thereafter, what is to be uttered, what is to be recollected, and who is to be worshiped by them, and, on the contrary, what should they avoid?
  38. Verse 39O brāhmaṇa, surely, you are not at all seen to abide in the houses of those who are intent on family life even for the brief time it takes to milk a cow.
  39. Verse 40Śrī Sūta said: Being addressed and questioned by the king in this manner with affectionate speech, that all-knowing son of Vyāsa [Śrī Śuka], who was fully conversant with the principles of dharma, replied to his questions as follows.