Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī - Canto 03 and 04

This article presents a thematic survey of the political turmoil in Hastināpura, Vidura's pilgrimage, the ecstasy of Uddhava, and the profound meeting with Maitreya spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 03 and 04. It organizes the quotes found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is the liberated sage and son of Vyāsadeva. In these specific verses, he expertly narrates the history of Vidura, demonstrating how the Supreme Lord uses the apparent tragedies of the material world to perfectly position His pure devotees for ultimate spiritual enlightenment.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is the top speaker of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with 4,872 verses at Vanisource. He speaks in all cantos except the 1st canto. He speaks in the 2nd (176 verses), 3rd (36 verses), 4th (5 verses), 5th (437 verses), 6th (371 verses), 7th (16 verses), 8th (538 verses), 9th (733 verses), 10th (2,278 verses), 11th (103 verses), and 12th canto (179 verses).

The Politics of Hastināpura

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes the sinful atmosphere of the Kuru dynasty, detailing the severe injustices inflicted upon the Pāṇḍavas by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his wicked sons.

The Blindness of Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains how the King's material attachment to his sons led to horrific acts, including the burning of the lacquer house and the humiliation of Draupadī.

"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: King Dhṛtarāṣṭra became blind under the influence of impious desires to nourish his dishonest sons, and thus he set fire to the lacquer house to burn his fatherless nephews, the Pāṇḍavas."
"The King did not forbid his son Duḥśāsana's abominable action of grabbing the hair of Draupadī, the wife of the godly King Yudhiṣṭhira, even though her tears washed the red dust on her breast."
"Yudhiṣṭhira, who was born without any enemy, was unfairly defeated in gambling. But because he had taken the vow of truthfulness, he went off to the forest. When he came back in due course and begged the return of his rightful share of the kingdom, he was refused by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who was overwhelmed by illusion."
"Lord Kṛṣṇa was sent by Arjuna into the assembly as the spiritual master of the whole world, and although His words were heard by some (like Bhīṣma) as pure nectar, it was not so for the others, who were completely bereft of the last farthing of past pious works. The King (Dhṛtarāṣṭra or Duryodhana) did not take the words of Lord Kṛṣṇa very seriously."
"What else is there to say about the residential house of the Pāṇḍavas? Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of everything, acted as your minister. He used to enter that house as if it were His own, and He did not take any care of Duryodhana's house."

The Insult of Vidura

Śukadeva Gosvāmī recounts how Vidura offered excellent political and spiritual advice to his brother, only to be viciously insulted and expelled by Duryodhana.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī recounts: When Vidura was invited by his elder brother (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) for consultation, he entered the house and gave instructions which were exactly to the point. His advice is well known, and instructions by Vidura are approved by expert ministers of state."
"While speaking thus, Vidura, whose personal character was esteemed by respectable persons, was insulted by Duryodhana, who was swollen with anger and whose lips were trembling. Duryodhana was in company with Karṇa, his younger brothers and his maternal uncle Śakuni."
"Thus being pierced by arrows through his ears and afflicted to the core of his heart, Vidura placed his bow on the door and quit his brother's palace. He was not sorry, for he considered the acts of the external energy to be supreme."
"By his piety, Vidura achieved the advantages of the pious Kauravas. After leaving Hastināpura, he took shelter of many places of pilgrimages, which are the Lord's lotus feet. With a desire to gain a high order of pious life, he traveled to holy places where thousands of transcendental forms of the Lord are situated."

The Pilgrimage of Vidura

Śukadeva Gosvāmī follows the solitary travels of Vidura, who roamed the earth as a mendicant, bathing in holy rivers and constantly remembering the Supreme Lord.

Traveling to Holy Places

Śukadeva Gosvāmī details Vidura's independent and austere lifestyle as he journeyed through Ayodhyā, Dvārakā, Mathurā, and Prabhāsa.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes: He began to travel alone, thinking only of Kṛṣṇa, through various holy places like Ayodhyā, Dvārakā and Mathurā. He traveled where the air, hill, orchard, river and lake are all pure and sinless and where the forms of the Unlimited decorate the temples. Thus he performed the pilgrim's progress."
"While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to please the Supreme Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen by his various relatives."
"Thus, when he was in the land of Bhāratavarṣa traveling to all the places of pilgrimage, he visited Prabhāsakṣetra. At that time Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was the emperor and held the world under one military strength and one flag."
"At the place of pilgrimage at Prabhāsa, it came to his knowledge that all his relatives had died due to violent passion, just as an entire forest burns due to fire produced by the friction of bamboos. After this he proceeded west, where the River Sarasvatī flows."
"On the bank of the River Sarasvatī there were eleven places of pilgrimage, namely, (1) Trita, (2) Uśanā, (3) Manu, (4) Pṛthu, (5) Agni, (6) Asita, (7) Vāyu, (8) Sudāsa, (9) Go, (10) Guha and (11) Srāddhadeva. Vidura visited all of them and duly performed rituals."

Meeting Uddhava

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates Vidura's arrival at the bank of the Yamunā, where he joyfully embraced the great devotee Uddhava and asked for news of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Encountering Uddhava

Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains how Vidura passed through wealthy provinces before finally meeting the constant companion of the Lord.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains: There were also many other temples of various forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu, established by great sages and demigods. These temples were marked with the chief emblems of the Lord, and they reminded one always of the original Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa."
"Thereafter he passed through very wealthy provinces like Surat, Sauvīra and Matsya and through western India, known as Kurujāṅgala. At last he reached the bank of the Yamunā, where he happened to meet Uddhava, the great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa."
"Then, due to his great love and feeling, Vidura embraced him (Uddhava), who was a constant companion of Lord Kṛṣṇa and formerly a great student of Bṛhaspati's. Vidura then asked him for news of the family of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead."
"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the great devotee Uddhava was asked by Vidura to speak on the messages of the dearest (Lord Kṛṣṇa), Uddhava was unable to answer immediately due to excessive anxiety at the remembrance of the Lord."

The Ecstasy of Uddhava

Śukadeva Gosvāmī vividly portrays Uddhava's profound, paralyzing trance of ecstatic love, demonstrating the depth of his lifelong attachment to the Supreme Lord.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī observes: He was one who even in his childhood, at the age of five years, was so absorbed in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa that when he was called by his mother for morning breakfast, he did not wish to have it."
"Uddhava thus served the Lord continually from childhood, and in his old age that attitude of service never slackened. As soon as he was asked about the message of the Lord, he at once remembered all about Him."
"For a moment he remained dead silent, and his body did not move. He became absorbed in the nectar of remembering the Lord's lotus feet in devotional ecstasy, and he appeared to be going increasingly deeper into that ecstasy."
"It was so observed by Vidura that Uddhava had all the transcendental bodily changes due to total ecstasy, and he was trying to wipe away tears of separation from his eyes. Thus Vidura could understand that Uddhava had completely assimilated extensive love for the Lord."
"The great devotee Uddhava soon came back from the abode of the Lord to the human plane, and wiping his eyes, he awakened his reminiscence of the past and spoke to Vidura in a pleasing mood."

The Departure of Uddhava and the Lord's Will

Śukadeva Gosvāmī details how Vidura pacified his grief through transcendental knowledge after learning of his family's destruction and the Lord's ultimate plan.

The Supreme Desire of the Lord

Śukadeva Gosvāmī clarifies that the cursing of the Yadu dynasty was merely a pretext for the Lord to complete His earthly pastimes.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī reveals: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing from Uddhava all about the annihilation of his friends and relatives, the learned Vidura pacified his overwhelming bereavement by dint of his transcendental knowledge."
"While Uddhava, the chief and most confidential amongst the devotees of the Lord, was going away, Vidura, in affection and confidence, questioned him."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, after thus discussing with Vidura the transcendental name, fame, qualities, etc., on the bank of the Yamunā, Uddhava was overwhelmed with great affliction. He passed the night as if it were a moment, and thereafter he went away."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: My dear King, the cursing of the brāhmaṇas was only a plea, but the actual fact was the supreme desire of the Lord. He wanted to disappear from the face of the earth after dispatching His excessively numerous family members. He thought to Himself as follows."

The Meeting with Maitreya Muni

Śukadeva Gosvāmī brings Vidura to the culmination of his journey at Hardwar, where he humbly submits his inquiries to the great, fathomless sage Maitreya.

Reaching Hardwar

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes the respectful and eager dynamic between Vidura and Maitreya, as the sage prepares to speak for the greatest welfare of the world.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī continues: Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After renouncing his prosperous home and entering the forest, King Vidura, the great devotee, asked this question of His Grace Maitreya Ṛṣi."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Vidura, the best amongst the Kuru dynasty, who was perfect in devotional service to the Lord, thus reached the source of the celestial Ganges River (Hardwar), where Maitreya, the great, fathomless learned sage of the world, was seated. Vidura, who was perfect in gentleness and satisfied in transcendence, inquired from him."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The great sage Maitreya Muni, after honoring Vidura very greatly, began to speak, at Vidura's request, for the greatest welfare of all people."
"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, while Maitreya, the great sage, was thus speaking, Vidura, the learned son of Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, expressed a request in a pleasing manner by asking this question."
"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Maitreya, being thus agitated by the inquisitive Vidura, at first seemed astonished, but then he replied to him without hesitation, since he was fully God conscious."

Enlivened by the Lord's Topics

Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains that Maitreya was immensely pleased and energized by Vidura's gentle nature and his profound questions regarding the Personality of Godhead.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī states: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the chief of the sages, who was always enthusiastic about describing topics regarding the Personality of Godhead, began to narrate the descriptive explanation of the Purāṇas, being so infused by Vidura. He was very much enlivened by speaking on the transcendental activities of the Lord."
"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, after hearing all these most virtuous topics from the sage Maitreya, Vidura inquired further on the topics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which he adored to hear."
"Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa was pleased to place His lotus feet on the lap of Vidura because Vidura was very meek and gentle. The sage Maitreya was very pleased with Vidura's words, and, being influenced by his spirit, he attempted to speak."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing from the great sage Maitreya about the Lord's incarnation as Varāha, Vidura, who had taken a vow, begged him with folded hands to please narrate further transcendental activities of the Lord, since he (Vidura) did not yet feel satisfied."

The Conclusion and Departure

Śukadeva Gosvāmī concludes the narrative of Vidura (in the Fourth Canto) by describing his immense satisfaction, his departure, and the overarching blessings of hearing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

The Satisfaction of Vidura

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes how Vidura, having heard the complete narrations including the lineage of Priyavrata, bows to his guru and heads back to Hastināpura to save his brother.

"Śukadeva Gosvāmī details: Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O best of kings (King Parīkṣit), I have now finished telling about the descendants of the first son of Svāyambhuva Manu, Uttānapāda. I shall now try to relate the activities of the descendants of Priyavrata, the second son of Svāyambhuva Manu. Please hear them attentively."
"Although Mahārāja Priyavrata received instructions from the great sage Nārada, he still engaged in ruling the earth. After fully enjoying material possessions, he divided his property among his sons. He then attained a position by which he could return home, back to Godhead."
"My dear King, in this way, after hearing the transcendental messages of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees from the great sage Maitreya, Vidura was overwhelmed with ecstasy. With tears in his eyes, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of his guru, his spiritual master. He then fixed the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart."
"Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Vidura thus offered obeisances unto the great sage Maitreya and, taking his permission, started for the city of Hastināpura to see his own kinsmen, although he had no material desires."
"O King, those who hear these topics about kings who are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead obtain without difficulty a long life, wealth, good reputation, good fortune and, ultimately, the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead."

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 Sukadeva Gosvami. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.