Chapter 19

The Appearance of Çukadeva Gosvämé

Mahäräja Parékñit regrets, and gratefully accepting the curse, renounces

everything (Texts 1-7)
1) Mahäräja Parékñit regrets his accidental improper treatment towards Çaméka åñi and feels
distressed
1a.Considers the faultless and powerful position of the brähmaëa
1b.Considers his own act, heinous and uncivilized
Lesson 1 – Accidental sins committed by a devotee are sincerely regretted, and by the
grace of the Lord, all sins unwillingly committed by a devotee are burnt in the fire of
repentance

2) Expects punishment – Mahäräja Parékñit expects some great difficulty in the near future
as a punishment for his sinful act
2a.Takes full responsibility for neglecting the Lord’s injunctions
• Lord’s injunction – He is very much inclined to the protection of cows and brähmaëas;
Mahäräja Parékñit had insulted a brähmaëa
2b.Mahäräja Parékñit exemplifies the thinking of a responsible devotee – Mahäräja Parékñit
desires to face the calamity (the reaction) immediately for following reasons:
• Family should not suffer – Mahäräja Parékñit desired imminent calamity on him only
and not his family members
• Avoiding future sins – By suffering personally, he would be restrained from future sins
• To save the descendants – “…at the same time the sin which he had committed would
be counteracted so that his descendants would not suffer”

3) Mahäräja Parékñit felt implicated in kali’s influence – By showing neglect to “brahminical

culture, God consciousness and cow protection” (a sign of kali’s influence)
• Cow protection means feeding the brahminical culture, which leads towards God
consciousness, and thus perfection of human civilization is achieved
3a.Condemns himself as uncivilized and sinful
• Uncivilized neglect – Feels uncivilized and sinful due to neglect of brahminical
culture, God consciousness and cow protection
• Civilized give priority – All economic development of the state by trade, commerce,
agriculture and industries must be fully utilized in relation to the above principles,
otherwise all so-called economic development becomes a source of degradation

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3b.Desires severe punishment – Expects his wealth, strength and kingdom to be burnt in the
brähmaëa’s wrath
• Where wealth and strength are not engaged in the advancement of brahminical
culture, God consciousness and cow protection, the state and home are surely doomed
by Providence
Lesson 3 – If we want peace and prosperity in the world, we should take lessons from this
verse; every state and every home must endeavor to advance the cause of brahminical
culture for self-purification, God consciousness for self-realization and cow protection for
getting sufficient milk and the best food to continue a perfect civilization

4) Mahäräja Parékñit received the news of the curse very happily

4a.While repenting, Mahäräja Parékñit received the news of the crude and impending death
4b. Mahäräja Parékñit’s immediate reaction – Accepted this as good news, for it would be the
cause of his indifference toward worldly things
• Blessing in disguise – Mahäräja Parékñit as a great devotee, could see the curse as a
blessing, causing his detachment from all worldly affairs, both political and social
• Indication to start final preparation – Çaméka åñi sent the news of impending death to
Mahäräja Parékñit , so that he can prepare for going Back to Godhead
o Çaméka åñi and Mahäräja Parékñit, both were self-realized and unafraid of death
o Çaméka åñi expressed to Mahäräja Parékñit about the foolish mistake of Çåìgi’s
curse, which could not be retracted now
o Mahäräja Parékñit did not go to beg pardon from Çaméka åñi, to avoid further
embarrassment for Him
General lessons to be learnt –
• Human life is a chance to prepare for going Back to Godhead; and therefore the
system of varëäçrama-dharma is called sanätana-dharma or eternal occupation
(because it facilitates one’s journey Back to Godhead)
• Foolish human beings
o Neglect their duty to prepare for Back to Godhead and spoil their lives in
animal propensities
o Adopt an irresponsible life, because of a sinful desire to condemn Brahminical
culture, God consciousness and cow protection
• Duties of the real welfare state –
o Must employ revenues to advance abovementioned three items, and educate
the people to prepare for death
o Follow footsteps of an ideal executive head Mahäräja Parékñit and not imitate
materialistic states

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5) Mahäräja Parékñit became determined for Lord’s transcendental loving service
5a. Rejected all other processes of self-realization, considering loving service as the greatest
achievement
• By His accumulated piety and birth in a devotee family, Mahäräja Parékñit’s only focus
was the Lord’s supreme spiritual abode; and did not care a fig for any of the material
planets
5b. Sat down firmly at the banks of transcendental river (Ganges or Yamunä), to
concentrate in Kåñëa Consciousness

Link 5 to 6 – Glories of that river are mentioned in Text 6

6) Glories of that transcendental river are mentioned
6a. Most auspicious water, mixed with dust of Lord’s lotus feet and tulasé leaves
6b. Most sanctifying – Sanctifies the 3 worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord
Çiva and other demigods
6c.Worth taking shelter, for everyone destined to die
• River was Ganges or Yamunä? (Taken from 6th purport)
o Generally, it is considered banks of Ganges
o Çréla Jéva Gosvämé says Yamunä, which appears more accurate
ƒ Geographically,Yamunä is more closer to Hastinäpura
ƒ Varäha Puräëa (Quoted by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé) – Water of Ganges,
when sancified 100 times, is called Yamunä
• But as a general acceptance, the river mentioned in most translations is Ganges

7) Mahäräja Parékñit made a determined decision, never to look back

7a. Sat down at the bank of river (Viñëu-padyäm) to fast until death
• Ganges emnate from lotus feet of Lord Viñëu, sanctifying all three worlds
• Bank of the Ganges or the Yamunä give one a chance to remember the Lord
continuously
7b. Decided to give himself to lotus feet of Lord Mukunda, who alone can award liberation
• Kåñëa is fountainhead of Viñëu-tattva mentioned in text 7a
• Shelter of His lotus feet can deliver one from all sins, including an offense committed
by a king unto a brähmaëa

Link 7b to 7c – The conditions of the material world are so made that one has to commit
sins willingly or unwillingly, and the best example is Mahäräja Parékñit himself, who was a
recognized sinless, pious king. But he also became a victim of an offense, even though he was
ever unwilling to commit such a mistake. He was cursed also, but because he was a great

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devotee of the Lord, even such reverses of life became favorable. The Lord saves the
surrendered soul
7c. Freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of
a sage
• To be free from all material association means to cease completely from committing
any further sins

Lesson 7 – The principle is that one should not willingly commit any sin in his life and
should constantly remember the lotus feet of the Lord without deviation. Only in such a
mood will the Lord help the devotee make regular progress towards the path of liberation
and thus attain the lotus feet of the Lord

Mahäräja Parékñit submits himself to the assembled sages (Texts 8-24)

8) Great sages came to see Mahäräja Parékñit, on the pretext of pilgrimage
• Great sages do not go to pilgrimage to get purified, rather they themselves purify the
place they visit
• Great sages came to take advantage of expected Çrémad-Bhägavatam

9) Names of great sages, who visited, are mentioned here

10) Many others came and Mahäräja Parékñit welcomed

11)
11a. Many saintly demigods, kings and a special rank of saintly kings arrived (arunadayas)
11b. Mahäräja Parékñit welcomed by bowing his head to ground – Adopted this humble
method to be excused from all the offenses and thus implored everyone’s good will for going
back to Godhead
• Excellent etiquette by which even the first grade offender can be excused
Lesson 11 – Generally at the last stage of one's life this humble method is adopted by
every sensible man in order to be excused before departure

12) King addressed rsis and others, after they got seated comfortably
12a. Demeanor – Stood humbly before them with folded hands
12b. Purpose – He consulted the sages about his decision to fast until death
• This indicates that monarchs in those days were not irresponsible dictators but
scrupulously followed the authoritative decision of saints and sages in terms of Vedic
injunctions
Lesson 12 – Any decision, however important, should be confirmed by some authority.
That makes the matter perfect

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13) King felt very grateful for the favors of assembled sages – for 2 reasons (13a & 13b)
13a. Mahäräja Parékñit considered the rarity of such saintly association for a world king –
renounced sages on way Back to Godhead consider royalty as a refuse to be rejected at a
distance
• Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu considered association of worldly kings to be suicidal
• But Mahäräja Parékñit was special because he was on his way Back to Godhead
13b. Mahäräja Parékñit felt proud to be a descendant of Päëòavas, whose greatness attracted
the favor of sages on whole dynasty

14) Mahäräja Parékñit felt grateful by recognizing brähmaëa's curse as Lord’s personal
intervention:
14a. Presence of sages reveal the Lord – Mahäräja Parékñit could recognize the Lord’s
presence (in form of curse) only due to the presence of topmost transcendentalists who carry
Lord within their heart
14b. Mahäräja Parékñit considered the curse as Lord’s plan to forcibly detach him
• Even a great devotee (born in devotee family and securely trained in devotional
service) could found mundane family life alluring
• Lord takes direct action to detach the devotee

15) Mahäräja Parékñit achieved absolute fearlessness, not fearful of any cause of death.
This was possible because (3 reasons):
15a. Mahäräja Parékñit submitted himself as a completely surrendered soul unto the
brähmaëas and to the Ganges
15b. Mahäräja Parékñit completely focused on Lord’s Lotus feet in his heart
• The atmosphere created by the presence of great devotees of the Lord on the bank of
the Ganges and Mahäräja Parékñit's complete acceptance of the Lord's lotus feet were
sufficient guarantee to the King for going back to Godhead
15c. Mahäräja Parékñit expressed a desire to continue hearing Lord’s glories from sages

Link 15 to 16 – Even if Mahäräja Parékñit does not go Back to Godhead and had to come
back again into this material world, he desired the perfect pattern of life in this material
world

16) Mahäräja Parékñit’s only desire birth after birth – Complete attachment to unlimited
Lord Kåñëa, association with devotees and friendly relation with all living entities
• Ready to even reject Brahmä’s association, but prefers to be a petty living being, if he
is a devotee
• Analogy: A good son of the supreme father sees all living entities in relation with the
supreme father

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Link 16 to 17 – Mahäräja Parékñit, at this stage, was fully equipped with all favorable
conditions as told in Text 17

17) Mahäräja Parékñit, in perfect self-control, fulfilled the following favorable conditions
(5 points)
• Had handed over the administration to his son
• Sitting at the banks of Ganges (Ganges is the wife of sea)
• Seat of Kuça straw was sanctified, because root was intact
• Kuça straw root pointing to east – Very auspicious
• Sat facing the north – Very favorable for spiritual success

18) Mahäräja Parékñit’s decision received appraisal from demigods – They scattered
flowers and played drums
Lesson 18 – A demigod takes pleasure in seeing someone go back to Godhead. He is
always pleased with a devotee of the Lord, so much so that by his adhidaivic powers he
may help the devotees in all respects. And by their actions, the Lord is pleased with them.
There is an invisible chain of complete cooperation between the Lord, the demigods and
the devotee of the Lord on earth

19) Mahäräja Parékñit’s decision also received approval from assembled sages – Sages
showered all their blessings, eager to do good for one advancing in devotional service,
especially a king like Mahäräja Parékñit
• Such auspicious assembly of sages at time of death indicates that the curse was a
blessing in disguise

Lesson 19 – The devotional service of the Lord is so auspicious that all demigods and
sages, up to the Lord Himself, became pleased with the devotee, and therefore the devotee
finds everything auspicious. All inauspicious matters are removed from the path of a
progressive devotee

Link 19 to 20 – Sages, feeling great pleasure to see Mahäräja Parékñit fixed in devotional
service began to speak. Sages appreciate Mahäräja Parékñit’s detachment from his throne, and
his focus on the supreme planet as the ultimate goal. Exactly in the footsteps of Mahäräja
Yudhiñöhira

20) Sages declare Mahäräja Parékñit to be a worthy grandson of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira –

Had no attachments to the glare of the imperial throne, but immediate eagerness to engage in
transcendental loving service of the Lord
• Mahäräja Parékñit, the grandson of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, gave up the imperial throne
to his son Janamejaya

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 • Foolish politicians are unaware of Lord’s eternal abode as the highest goal, but occupy
the administrative temporary posts as the highest gain of life
• Devotee kings are well-aware of dangerous glare of materialistic illusory energy e.g
Prahläda Mahäräja and Päëòava kings – Some of the feature of material world (as told
by Prahläda Mahäräja) :
o Crushes one like a grinding stone
o Horrible whirlpool with tossing waves
o Two painful experiences in every species – Separation from one’s beloved and
meeting with what is not wanted
o Material remedies are more painful than the disease itself

21) Sages decided to stay till the last moment of Mahäräja Parékñit, before he leaves for the
supreme planet
• Supreme planet refers to Kåñëa’s personal abode, Goloka Våndävana
o Spiritual planets are free from all material contamination and all lamentation (2
characteristics)
• Sages want to take the full advantage till the last moment, because such great devotees
(Mahäräja Parékñit) are rare to be see
o When a great devotee of the Lord passes away, there is nothing to be lamented
because the devotee is destined to enter into the kingdom of God. But the sorry
plight is that such great devotees leave our sight, and therefore there is every
reason to be sorry

22) Mahäräja Parékñit responds to sages’ speech

22a. Sages’ perfect speech – It was “Very sweet to hear, full of meaning and appropriately
presented as perfectly true”
22b. Mahäräja Parékñit’s response – Desiring to hear of the activities of Lord Çré Kåñëa, the
Personality of Godhead, congratulated the great sages

23) Mahäräja Parékñit glorifies the sages in this verse

23a. Acknowledges their kindness, to assemble there from all different parts of the universe

Link 23a to 23b – Different kinds of living entities exhibit different degrees of their
original glare and attributes, according to the covering of material energy (e.g. Sun is covered
by clouds) in different planetary systems
• In Satyaloka the inhabitants are fully cognizant of Vedic wisdom, and thus the mystic
cloud of material energy is cleared. Therefore they are known as the Vedas personified
• Mahäräja Parékñit, in text 23b, declares these sages to be from Satyaloka
23b. Acknowledges their exalted position in universe – “You are all as good as supreme
knowledge personified, who resides in the planet above the three worlds [Satyaloka]”

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Link 23b to 23c – In 23c Mahäräja Parékñit declares the only focus of these great souls
23c. Acknowledges their only goal, that is, to reclaim the fallen souls from the material
world – “Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you
have no interest, either in this life or in the next.”
• Residents of Satyaloka have no interest in mundane or transcendental world (being
full in themselves)
• They only come to this world as messiahs of the Supreme Lord, to do good to the
people of this world

24) Mahäräja Parékñit inquires about his own immediate duty and places 2 questions
• Two questions –
o What is the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances
o Duty of specially those who are just about to die
• Practically the whole canto 2 to canto 12 deals with answers to these 2 questions
• Importance of word ‘Çuddha’ or ‘perfectly correct’ – It indicates the desire to confirm
and know the best process of self-realisation

Link 24 to 25 – It appears that upon the inquiry of Mahäräja Parékñit, the great sages
were not unanimous in their decision as to what was to be done. For spiritual salvation there
were many prescriptions according to the different modes of different persons. But the
ultimate aim of life is to attain the highest perfectional stage of devotional service to the Lord.
As doctors differ, so also sages differ in their different prescriptions(Analogy). While such
things were going on, the great and powerful son of Vyäsadeva appeared on the scene

Feeling extremely grateful, Mahäräja Parékñit inquires from Çukadeva Gosvämé

(Texts 25-40)
25) Çukadeva Gosvämé appeared at that moment
• Word ‘Bhagavän’ is sometimes used to indicate great devotees
25a. Çukadeva Gosvämé was disinterested and satisfied with himself
• Distressed in material affairs, because he was satisfied by achievements of devotional
service
25b. Çukadeva Gosvämé was already on liberated platform – Did not show any symptoms of
belonging to any social order or caste
• Did not took any formal initiation from spiritual master or any purificatory rituals
25c. Example of his material disinterest – Moved about naked and uninterested in social
customs; neglected by people around him

26) Çukadeva Gosvämé’s bodily features are described

26a. Çukadeva Gosvämé, son of Vyäsadeva, was only 16 yrs old

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 • Although only 16 yrs by this knowledge he was more experienced than all other sages
there
Lesson 26a – A person is honored for his achievements and not for advanced age. A
person can be older by experience and not by age

26b. Delicately formed bodily parts are described beginning from legs
• A respectable personality is described beginning with the legs, and this honored
system is observed here with Çukadeva Gosvämé

26c & 27a. Further features described:

Eyes – Beautiful wide
Nose and ears- Highly raised
Face – Very attractive, curly hairs strewn
over his face
Neck – Well-formed and beautiful like
conchshell
Collarbones –Fleshy
Chest – Broad and thick
Navel – Deep
Abdomen – Beautifully striped
Arms – Long
27b. He was naked and bodily hue resembled that of Lord Kåñëa

28)
28a. He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth – Glamour of his body and
attractive smiles were pleasing to women

Link 28a to 28b – His bodily features are the uncommon symptoms typical of great
personalities, according to physiognomical calculations
28b. Could not hide his own glories – Great sages expert in physiognomy, immediately
honored him by rising from their seats
• All stood up, except Vyäsadeva, Närada & other (See purport 29th)

Link 28 to 29 – Text 29 mentions the response of one who is always protected by Lord
Viñëu (Viñëuräta)

29)
29a. Mahäräja Parékñit’s response – He bowed his head to receive the chief guest, Çukadeva
Gosvämé
• Mahäräja Parékñit bowed down with all the limbs of his body

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Link 29a to 29b – Effect of witnessing such a respect (28b & 29a) towards Çukadeva
Gosvämé is told in 29b
29b. Ignorant women and children ceased following Çukadeva Gosvämé – They were struck
with wonder and fear
29c. Çukadeva Gosvämé occupied his exalted presidential seat
• Çukadeva Gosvämé also exchanged the greetings and reception as appropriate in each
case

Link 29 to 30 – The whole scenario was full of gravity and calmness

30) Outstanding among all – Çukadeva Gosvämé appeared like a moon, surrounded by stars
etc.
• His presence was gorgeous and most respected among even brahmarñi , devarñi and
räjarñi, although he did not fall in any of these categories
Lesson 30 – This means that the devotee of the Lord is more honored in the world than
the Lord Himself. One should therefore never minimize the importance of a devotee like
Çukadeva Gosvämé

31) Perfect spiritual master and disciple meets

31a. Çukadeva Gosvämé as a perfect spiritual master – “…sat perfectly pacified, intelligent
and ready to answer any question without hesitation”
31b. Mahäräja Parékñit as a perfect disciple – Humbly approached, offered all respects and
politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands
• Mahäräja Parékñit, thus fulfills the scriptural injunction i.e., to humbly approach a
spiritual master to understand transcendental science

Lesson 31 – There is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master unless one is in need

of solving the problems of life. One who does not know how to put questions before the
spiritual master has no business seeing him

32) Mahäräja Parékñit’s devotional humility exhibited – Considers his own fallen position
32a. Feels himself as unworthy descendant (kñatra-bandhavaù) of his great kñatriya
forefathers
32b. Feels himself causelessly blessed and sanctified by Çukadeva Gosvämé, who turns any
place into a place of pilgrimage

33) Points the superexcellent power of Çukadeva Gosvämé to sanctify – Simply by

remembering him, the houses becomes instantly sanctified, what to speak of seeing, touching,
etc.

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 • A householder who dishonors such holy orders is a great offender
• Penance for not bowing down before a saint – Fast for the day, to neutralize the great
offense
Lesson 33 – The only aim of such saints is to sanctify the houses of the householders, and
the householders therefore should feel grateful when such saints and sages appear at their
doors

34) Purifying potency of great saints and devotees

• Saints or devotees are in the list of Lord’s paraphernalia
• They can purify and vanquish all ghostly sins, just like no atheist or demon can stay in
presence of Lord, His Holy name, etc.
o A ghost cannot remain as soon as the holy name of the Lord is chanted
Lesson 34 – One is recommended, therefore, to associate only with saintly devotees, so
that worldly demons and ghosts cannot exert their sinister influence

Link 34 to 35 – Mahäräja Parékñit acknowledges that he is receiving Kåñëa’s mercy only

because he is the relative of Päëòavas who are very dear to Kåñëa

35) Admits the patronage of Lord Kåñëa because of his (Mahäräja Parékñit) being the only
grandson of great Päëòavas
• A pure and exclusive devotee of the Lord serves his family interest more dexterously
than others, who are attached to illusory family affairs
o By service of Päëòavas, Mahäräja Parékñit, as a family descendent, got the
protection of Lord
o By service of Mahäräja Prahläda, Hiraëyakaçipu got the mercy of Lord
Nåsiàhadeva
Lesson 35 – The Lord is so kind that he gives all protection to the family members of His
devotee, and thus the devotee has no need to bother about his family members, even if one
leaves such family members aside to discharge devotional service

Link 35 to 36 – Mahäräja Parékñit, by introspection, considers Çukadeva Gosvämé’s

voluntary arrival at the site as being inspired and caused by Lord Kåñëa’s mercy

36) Acknowledges Lord’s mercy in the form of sending a bonafide spiritual master,
Çukadeva Gosvämé
• Lord sends His representative; when sitting in the heart, He sees the sincerity and
eagerness of a particular soul to go Back to Godhead

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 Lesson 36 – One can achieve the ultimate success of going back to Godhead if he is
favored by the Lord's sending His true representative. As soon as a true representative of
the Lord is met by a devotee of the Lord, the devotee is assured a guarantee for going back
to Godhead just after leaving the present body

37) Mahäräja Parékñit placed his inquiries before Çukadeva Gosvämé in begging mood –
“Show me the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die”
• A spiritual master is not a decoration for a fashionable materialistic householders
Lesson 37 – Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is
no necessity of approaching a spiritual master

38) Becomes more specific in his inquiry – “What a man should hear, chant, remember
and worship, and also what he should not do”

39) Mahäräja Parékñit, considers the rarity of such association and feels eager for
instructions
39a. Saints stay at householder’s place only for the time of milking of cow (may be for not
even 5 minutes in the morning)
• Pound of fresh milk is enough to supply all vitamin values to an adult
• Even poorest of householders would keep at least 10 cows and could easily give a few
pounds of milk to the mendicants
Lesson 39a – It is the duty of householders to maintain the saints and sages like the
children

39b. Mahäräja Parékñit was thus praying for instructions as soon as possible

Lesson 39b – The householders also should be intelligent enough to get some
transcendental information from visiting sages

40) Thus the king questions appropriately in sweet language and sages began to reply,
based on principles of religion
• Thus the conversation between Çukadeva Gosvämé and Mahäräja Parékñit begins from
Canto 2 till Canto 12

-----------------------------------End of Chapter 19----------------------------------

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 Chapter 19
The Appearance of Çukadeva Gosvämé
Important questions for memorization
1. What is the process for being delivered from accidental sins? (1)
2. Why didn't Maharaj Pariksit ask to be pardoned? (4)
3. In the Varäha Puräëa what is mentioned about the Ganges and the Yamunä? (6)
4. How can the first-grade offender be excused? (11)
5. Why did the King inform the sages of his decision to fast till death? (12)
6. How do the demigods feel in seeing someone go back to Godhead? (18)
7. To whom did Mahäräja Parékñit give up the imperial throne? (20)
8. Why is there both nothing to be lamented, every reason to be sorry, with a devotee’s
departure? (21)
9. What two questions does the King ask the sages? (24)
10. Describe how householders should feel when sages appear at their doors. (33)

Analogies:
1.19.16: As a good son of the father behaves in a friendly way with all his other brothers, so
also the devotee of the Lord, being a good son of the supreme father, Lord Kåñëa, sees all
other living beings in relation with the supreme father.

1.19.23: In the material world these attributes (up to seventy-eight percent of the Lord's
attributes) are covered by the material energy, as the sun is covered by a cloud. The covered
strength of the sun is very dim, compared to the original glare, and similarly the original
color of the living beings with such attributes becomes almost extinct.

1.19.25: As doctors differ, so also sages differ in their different prescriptions.

1.19.30: Çukadeva Gosvämé was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the
moon is surrounded by stars, planets and other heavenly bodies.

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 1.19 Chapter Breakdown

Verses 1-7 Mahäräja Parékñit regrets, and gratefully accepting the curse,
renounces everything
Mahäräja Parékñit laments that he insulted the sage. Mahäräja Parékñit could have gone to the
muni to beg his pardon, but the news of imminent death was conveyed to the King with so
much regret by the muni that the King did not want to shame the muni further by his
presence there. He decided to prepare himself for his imminent death. Fasting, he sat down at
the bank of the Ganges and gave himself up to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Verses 8-24 Mahäräja Parékñit submits himself to the assembled sages

Many rsis arrive. Mahäräja Parékñit welcomes them, by bowing his head to the ground, and
tells them of his decision to fast until death. The demigods scattered flowers over the earth
and beat celestial drums and the sages glorify the king's decision. Mahäräja Parékñit inquiries
from the sages of the duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are
about to die.

Verses 25-40 Feeling extremely grateful, Mahäräja Parékñit inquires from

Çukadeva Gosvämé
The great sages were not unanimous in their response to these questions. Then Çukadeva
Gosvämé, inspired by Lord Kåñëa, approached the assembly.Çukadeva, was only sixteen years
old and he did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life.
He was surrounded with women and children. He was naked and his bodily hue resembled
that of Lord Kåñëa. On Çukadeva Gosvämé's arrival at the meeting, everyone, except
Vyäsadeva, Närada and a few others, stood up. Çukadeva was offered the presidential seat at
the meeting. The King thus questioned the sage, using sweet language about the duty of one
about to die.

Topics for Discussion

• Sins unwillingly committed by a devotee are burnt in the fire of repentance. (1)
• Family members of a devotee share the effects of a devotee's service unto the Lord. (2)
• Any decision, however important, should be confirmed by some authority (12)
• A householder who dishonors such holy orders is a great offender (33)
• A person can be older by experience and not by age (Çukadeva) (26)
• One can render better service to the family by becoming a devotee of the Lord (35)
• Question of Mahäräja Parékñit is basic principle of complete thesis of Bhägavatam (37)
• For a devotee.. two things are strictly prohibited: worldly enjoyers and women. (32)
• The devotee has no need to bother about his family members (35)

Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 19  Page 14