Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.4.6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognize a Sage by Hearing
“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?”
What the purport teaches
- Śukadeva Gosvāmī's outward appearance made it difficult for the citizens to recognize his exalted position.
- A sage is recognized by hearing, not merely by sight. Approaching a sādhu brings no benefit if one is unwilling to hear his words.
- Śukadeva Gosvāmī was recognized when he spoke the Bhāgavatam about the Lord's transcendental activities. He did not perform magical displays or satisfy ordinary people's whims.
Try this today
Spend five undistracted minutes reading or hearing the Bhāgavatam, giving attention to its message rather than the speaker's appearance.
Ask yourself
Do I judge a spiritual speaker by outward appearance or by the teaching I hear?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.