Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 – Parikshit’s Questions on the Lord’s Creation
"The Lord Sriman Narayana is the very essence of divine virtues, self-sustained, radiant with light, overflowing with boundless knowledge and bliss. He is the ‘Creator of The Universe,’ which encompasses countless forms of Himself, both the living beings and the non-living things. He sustains, transforms, and governs it all — bestowing both ignorance and wisdom, binding beings to the cycle of birth and death, and offering liberation to those who seek moksha. Thus, He is the Param, the Supreme.
In the dawn of creation, He manifested the first being, the four-faced Brahma, and gifted him the knowledge required to bring the cosmos into being. Through His blessings, wisdom unfolds. Though He seeks no gain for Himself, He creates and upholds the cosmos for the welfare of all living beings, endowed with all the wisdom necessary for such a grand design. For He is neither a juggler, nor a deceiver, crafting illusions in this world. Untainted by any flaw, He is the Satyam — the absolute truth.
With reverence, let us meditate upon Lord Sriman Narayana, the embodiment of Satyam and Param."
"The Srimad Bhagavata encompasses the entirety of Dharma, safeguarding the soul from falling by purifying it, and guiding the individual soul towards the divine path leading to the Lord. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Lord, free from jealousy, expectation, or deceit. As one treads upon this path, all obstacles dissolve, prosperity is bestowed, and the heart becomes imbued with virtue, turning one into a Sajjana, a virtuous soul. Above all, it fortifies bhakti, deepening one’s devotion.
Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata, composed by the Lord in the form of sage Veda Vyasa shines as a beacon of truth, revealing Himself as Supreme Soul eternally resides in the heart of every living being."
"Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Lord and bestows the blessings of abundance upon all Bhagavatas, enriching them with the divine knowledge of Srimad Bhagavata — a wealth that encompasses Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.
Salutations to the Gods Brahma and Vayu, the noblest of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Devotion, who inspires both wisdom and bhakti. Salutations to the divine Garuda, Sesha and Shiva, the greatest among the Vaishnavas.
Salutations to the Srimad Bhagavata, the sacred text that brings forth eternal victory and spiritual triumph."
The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.
Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghavendra, I worship you by surrendering myself.
The discourse at Naimisharanya continued as Sri Sutacharya narrated the sacred dialogue between Sri Śuka and King Parīkṣit on the banks of the holy Ganga to Shaunaka and his fellow rishis. Śuka’s words resounded like timeless mantras, and King Parīkṣit, freed from worldly bonds, bowed deeply, preparing his heart to ask the most profound of questions. What followed is no idle curiosity, but the earnest inquiry of a soul at the threshold of death—questions that unveil the eternal mysteries of the Lord’s creation, sustenance, and dissolution.
सूत उवाच
वैयासकेरिति वचस्तत्त्वनिश्चयमात्मनः ।
उपधार्य मतिं कृष्णे औत्तरेयः सतीं व्यधात् ॥१॥
Sri Suta Pauranika, with reverence in his voice, addressed Shaunaka and the assembled sages:
“O Shaunaka and venerable ṛṣis! When King Parīkṣit heard the sacred words of Śrī Śukācārya, he clearly discerned the highest truth—the eternal supremacy of Lord Paramātma, who is sarvajña (all-knowing) and sarvakartā (doer of all). With a heart free from doubt and a mind made pure through earnest inquiry, he surrendered himself wholly and solely at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Reality who is ever distinct from the individual soul.
He understood that all acts—whether the misdeed of placing a dead serpent on the sage, the curses uttered in anger, the varied deaths faced by beings, or the rites performed after their passing—are not random nor forgotten. Each is seen, known, and governed by the Lord, who is the silent witness, the sākṣī; regulating by dispensing the karma, the niyāmaka; the ultimate controller of all destinies. In this surrender, Parīkṣit found peace—not in denial of his fate, but in the embrace of the One who orchestrates all outcomes with perfect justice and boundless compassion.”
आत्मजायासुतागारपशुद्रविणबन्धुषु ।
राज्ये चाविकले नित्यं विरूढां ममतां जहौ ॥ २॥
Continuing, Sri Suta said, "Without hesitation, Parikshit gave up all attachment—to his body, his beloved wife, his children, his treasures, his armies, elephants, horses, palaces, and the vast kingdom he ruled without rival. Along with these, he cast aside the pride that clings to such worldly possessions and the ego born of birth and power. Not through neglect, but by understanding their limited worth in light of the eternal, he turned away from them.”
पप्रच्छ चेममेवार्थं यन्मां पृच्छथ सत्तमाः ।
कृष्णानुभावश्रवणे श्रद्दधानो महामनाः ॥ ३॥
संस्थां विज्ञाय सन्न्यस्य कर्म त्रैवर्गिकं च यत् ।
वासुदेवे भगवति आत्मभावं दृढं गतः ॥ ४॥
Continuing, Sri Sutacharya said: “O wise sages! This noble king, though once ensnared by royal duties, became deeply aware of his approaching end—a fate sealed by the curse of the young sage Śṛṅgi, spoken in anger at King Parīkṣit’s momentary lapse of respect toward Sage Śamika.
Knowing death was near, the king renounced all pursuits of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma. He fixed his entire being on Moksha—not merely as freedom from karma and rebirth, but as entrance into divine intimacy: Sālokya—dwelling in the same realm as the Lord; Sārūpya—attaining a form akin to the Lord’s; Sāmīpya—abiding in close proximity to Him; and Sāyujya—communion, expressed as eternal service at the feet of the ever-distinct, all-powerful Lord Śrī Hari.
With unwavering faith, his eyes turned inward, and his thoughts ascended—toward the divine form of Lord Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva. Seated upon the sacred banks of the Ganga, King Parīkṣit yearned for nothing but the glories of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The Lord, complete in the six divine attributes: Aiśvarya—supreme sovereignty; Dhairya—unshakable courage; Eśas—unparalleled fame; Śrī—boundless prosperity; Jñāna—infinite wisdom; and Viśeṣa Jñāna—transcendental insight beyond worldly knowing. And so, with humility and reverence, Parīkṣit placed his questions before the great sage Śukācārya, seeking the truth of creation and the glory of the Supreme."
“These very questions, O Shaunaka! that were once asked by a King Parakshit at the threshold of death—you now ask of me here in sacred Naimisharanya. And by the grace of Lord Sri Hari, I shall speak,” said Sri Sutacharya.
राजोवाच
समीचीनं वचो ब्रह्मन् सर्वज्ञस्य तवानघ ।
तमो विशीर्यते मह्यं हरेः कथयतः कथाम् ॥ ५॥
Continuing his sacred narration, Sri Sutacharya addressed the sages of Naimisharanya:
“O revered Rishis! King Parikshit, deeply moved and enlightened by the discourse of the great Sri Shukacharya, bowed with folded hands and said:
‘O most learned Brahmana, knower of all that is revealed and hidden! Your words shine with the clarity of truth. Every verse you utter dispels the darkness within me, like the rising sun scattering night. Your narration of the glories of the Supreme Lord is like a lamp lit in the heart—it draws my soul ever closer to Him.”
भूय एव विवित्सामि भगवानात्ममायया ।
यथेदं सृजते विश्वं दुर्विभाव्यमधीश्वरैः ॥ ६॥
यथा गोपायति विभुर्यथा संयच्छते पुनः ।
यां यां शक्तिमुपाश्रित्य पुरुशक्तिः परः पुमान् ।
आत्मानं क्रीडयन् क्रीडन्करोति विकरोति च ॥ ७॥
“I have a deep yearning to understand the mystery of this vast creation. How did Bhagavan, the Supreme Lord, create the universe while remaining untouched? Accepting Goddess Maya—who governs Prakriti—how did He begin this unfathomable process?
नूनं भगवतो ब्रह्मन् हरेरद्भुतकर्मणः ।
दुर्विभाव्यमिवाभाति कविभिश्चापि चेष्टितम् ॥ ८॥
“The Lord’s power is immeasurable, filled with infinite energies. Which of these energies does He employ in creation, preservation, and dissolution? And in what manner does He Himself engage?
Is He like a child at the seashore, sculpting a cave in the sand—creating, preserving for a moment, and destroying it all in play, free of bondage and attachment?
यथा गुणांस्तु प्रकृतेर्युगपत्क्रमशोऽपि वा ।
बिभर्ति भूरिशस्त्वेकः कुर्वन् कर्माणि जन्मभिः ॥ ९॥
“Does He embrace the three gunas of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas all at once? Or does He assume different forms and take on Prakriti stage by stage?” asked King Parakshit to Sri Shukacharya,
विचिकित्सितमेतन्मे ब्रवीतु भगवान् यथा ।
शाब्दे ब्रह्मणि निष्णातः परस्मिंश्च भवान् खलुभवान् ॥ १०॥
“O venerable Shukacharya! You are no ordinary sage—you are immersed in the Lord who is Shabdabrahman, the very embodiment of the Vedas, and Parabrahman, the eternal Satchidananda. You know both the sound of truth, His formless essence, and His auspicious forms. You are an expert in the wisdom of all schools, yet devoted wholly to Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality who is ever distinct from all.
Therefore, I beg you—clear my doubts and illumine the path of understanding with your divine insight.’”
Thus spoke King Parikshit on the banks of the sacred Ganga. And so, Sri Sutacharya concluded to the rishis at Naimisharanya:
“These were the questions posed by the king to the masterful sage Shuka—the questions that now flow once again through your hearts. Just as they were spoken then, I shall now speak them to you.”
सूत उवाच
इत्युपामन्त्रितो राज्ञा गुणानुकथने हरेः ।
हृषीकेशमनुस्मृत्य प्रतिवक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ॥ ११॥
Continuing his sacred narration, Sri Sutacharya turned to the sages of Naimisharanya and spoke:
“O wise ones, listen further to the divine dialogue that unfolded on the banks of the holy Ganga. King Parikshit, his heart steeped in devotion and his mind eager to know the Supreme in truth, placed questions before Sri Shukacharya—not just to seek mere knowledge, but to understand the eternal attributes of Lord Sri Krishna,” said Sri Sutacharya.
“Having narrated the questions of Parīkṣit to Śukacharya’s,” Sri Sutacharya said, “Śukacharya’s heart overflows into a stream of praise. These verses, known as the Śuka Gīta, are not mere descriptions but songs—an unbroken garland of salutations to the Supreme Lord, Śrī Krishna. ”
Sutacharys continued saying, “Sri Shukacharya has saluted the Lord as Purushottama who is the supreme cause of creation, sustenance, and dissolution—yet ever beyond it all. He bows to Him as Paramatma, who enters every being and dwells within the lotus of each heart. He glorifies Him as Bhaktavatsala, the tender-hearted guardian of devotees, whose grace sanctifies even the most fallen. He praises Him as Vasudeva, the radiant source of knowledge, the eternal consort of Lakshmi, and the refuge of saints, sages, and seekers across time. It is not merely a philosophical exposition—it is a devotional outpouring, where truth becomes song, and wisdom becomes worship.”
This is why it is called a Gīta. In the Bhāgavata, when truth overflows as devotion, when wisdom itself becomes song, it is honored as Gīta. Just as we find the Kunti Gita (see blog dated 19th September 2019), Uddhava Gīta or Bhramara Gīta, in our next blog we will explore Śuka’s song of praise—his luminous offering that takes the form of a Gīta: the Śuka Gīta.
At the heart of these verses stands the mystery of Chetna Prakriti—the conscious power of the Lord. She is Māyā Devī, who veils and reveals, who creates the play of names and forms; and She is Śrī Lakṣmī, who graces and sustains, inseparable from Nārāyaṇa. Without Her heartfelt invocation to the Lord—seeking Him to reveal His Majesty through creation—creation itself could not have unfolded. Through Her, even the Lord’s līlā becomes adorned with sweetness.
Saints too have sung of this mystery. Purandara Dāsa addresses Māyā Devī in moving simplicity:
“O Māyā Devī, how cunningly you enchant—even Hari appears bound to you, unable to forsake your spell. The wise may renounce, the ascetic may strive, yet all remain touched by your play. And yet, as Lakṣmī, seated upon the Lord’s chest, you are the very embodiment of bliss, revealing to all the sweetness of surrender to Purandara Vittala.” To taste this continuity of bhakti, let us listen to the saint himself rendered by Mysore Ramachandra: Marulu madikondeyalle || Dasara Padagalu || Mysore Ramachandrachar || Kannada Devotional
Marulu madikondeyalle Māyādevīye || pa ||
Irulu hagalu ekavāgi Hariyu ninna bidadipante || apa ||
O Māyādevī! You have enchanted even the Supreme Lord—
Day and night, He remains inseparably bound to you,
As though even He, the unconquerable, cannot escape your spell.
j~janigalu nitya panadigalannu bittu
Nanavidha tapaviddaru dhyanakke silukadavana || 1 ||
Even the wise, who renounce food and water,
And pursue countless austerities,
Struggle to enter true meditation—
For You remain beyond the grasp of the senses.
Melu mangapatiyagi ninna angikarisuvante || 2 ||
The Lord of Ranga, radiant and supreme,
Chose you, O Divine Mother, as His eternal consort—
In this earthly realm, amidst mountains and serpents,
Embracing you in love, forever inseparable.
pralaya kaladalli aladeleya mele malagiddaga
Halavu abharanagalu jalavu agi janatanadi || 3 ||
At the time of cosmic dissolution,
When Hari lay upon the banyan leaf,
Your brilliance became His ornaments—
Merging with the waters, yet never apart from Him.
sarva sanga bittu sanyasiyada kalakku
Sarvada tannedeya mele bidade ninna dharisippante || 4 ||
Even when renouncing all attachments,
And resting in the stillness of sannyāsa,
He never lets you go—
Holding you close to His heart, forever.
edake bhumi balake shriyu edurinalli durgadev
Todeya mele lakumiyagi bidade muddadisuvante || 5 ||
With Bhūmi on His left, Śrī on His right, and Durgā before Him,
You, as Lakṣmī, rest upon His lap— Cradled in tender affection,
The cherished heart of His eternal play.
makkala padedare ninna chokkatanavu popudendu
Pokkulolu makkala padedu kakkuladi paduvante || 6 ||
To preserve your celestial beauty, untouched by worldly strain,
You chose not the natural path of birth—
But emerged your children through the navel of your Lord,
A marvel of divine design, Ever radiant, ever serene.
endendigu mareye ninnanandadi janarigella
Tandu tore svadhina purandara vitthala rayana ||7||
Never shall I forget you, O joy-brimming Goddess,
Your bliss etched in the hearts of all devotees.
Reveal to the world the sweetness of surrender—
To Purandara Vittala, your sovereign beloved.
॥ Hari Om ॥
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