BY: SUN STAFF
Dec 21, CANADA (SUN) —
Tattva Sandarbha
by Srila Jiva Goswami
SECTION TWENTY-FIVE
Therefore it is said:
"At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim's journey. From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Vasishtha, Cyavana, Saradvan, Arishtanemi, Brighu, Angira, Parasara, Visvamitra, Parasurama, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmabahu, Medhatithi, Devala, Arshtisena, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Pippalada, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipayana and the great personality Narada.
"There were also many other saintly Devarshis, Brahmarshis, and special royal orders called arunadayas (a special rank of rajarshis) from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled to meet the Emperor (Parikshita), he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.
"After all the rishis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the king again bowed down and standing before them with folded hands humbly told them of his decision to fast until death." (SB. 1.19.8-12)
Thereafter the King spoke:
"O trustworthy brahmanas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die." (SB. 1.19.24)
Then after the King's query: "At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyasadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied within himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him (like an Avadhuta). (SB.1.19.25)
Then: "(He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamour of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present were all expert in the art of physiognomy), and so they honored him by rising from their seats."(SB. 1.19.28)
And finally: "The most glorious Sukadeva Gosvami, surrounded by the most eminent group of brahmacaris, rajarshis, and devarshis shone brilliantly, like the moon surrounded by clusters of planets and constellations of stars. (SB. 1.19.30)
Sri Jiva Toshani Commentary
After Shringi cursed Maharaja Parikshita, the king renounced his kingdom and took a vow to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges. At that time sages of all classes and orders from various parts of the universe assembled there. This included even incarnations of the Lord such as Parasurama and Srila Vyasadeva. When Parikshita Maharaja inquired from them about the duties of a person, especially of one who is about to die, no one gave a definitive answer. At that time the most noble Sukadeva Gosvami arrived and he was unanimously chosen as the right person to answer Maharaja Parikshita's query.
In the previous anuccheda Jiva Gosvami said Sukadeva was respected as guru by all the sages. In this section he gives the references to support his claim. Sukadeva spoke Srimad Bhagavatam in answer to Parikshita Maharaja's question. That means that the conclusions of the Srimad Bhagavatam were accepted by all the assembled sages, which included propagators and followers of various philosophies. Just as Srila Sukadeva Gosvami is compared to an effulgent moon among the star-like sages, so is the Srimad Bhagavatam among all other scripture.
Next, Srila Jiva Gosvami shows that Srimad Bhagavatam is the representative of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Go to Section Twenty-six
Return to Section Twenty-four
